shriveled or shrivelled; shriveling or shrivelling
ˈshri-vəl-iŋ 
ˈsri-;
ˈshriv-liŋ,
ˈsriv-
1
: to draw into wrinkles especially with a loss of moisture
2
a
: to become reduced to inanition, helplessness, or inefficiency
b
: dwindle
: to cause to shrivel
Examples of shrivel in a Sentence
plants shriveling in the heat
Recent Examples on the Web
Winter The goal in winter is to water cacti just enough to prevent them from shriveling and wrinkling.
—
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Feb. 2026
While watering too often can lead to mushy leaves and root rot, watering too little will cause the leaves to turn brown and shrivel up.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 16 Feb. 2026
Bake until tomatoes are shriveled, 30 to 35 minutes.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
Concern is also growing over how salaries have lagged behind inflation, shriveling in value and squeezing household budgets.
—Isabel Debre, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shrivel
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Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Feb. 2026
While watering too often can lead to mushy leaves and root rot, watering too little will cause the leaves to turn brown and shrivel up.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 16 Feb. 2026
Bake until tomatoes are shriveled, 30 to 35 minutes.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
Concern is also growing over how salaries have lagged behind inflation, shriveling in value and squeezing household budgets.
—Isabel Debre, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shrivel
Cite this Entry
“Shrivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrivel. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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