1
as in to undermine
to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality
that historian's dryasdust prose desiccates what is actually an exciting period in European history
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to dry
to make dry
add a cup of desiccated coconut to the mix
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of desiccate
Try to get a look below the surface—if anything is broken, damaged, rotten, or desiccated, a simple trim could help.
—
Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 11 Feb. 2026
Sereno proposes that the creatures’ carcasses were first desiccated in a drought before suddenly being engulfed by sediment—likely brought on by a flood.
—Andrea Tamayo, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 2025
The authors argue that those features, the intact, hyper-flexed skeletons and the absence of the disarticulation expected after ordinary decay, indicate bodies had been desiccated before burial rather than interred as fresh cadavers.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
Any cell drifting in the skies is blasted with UV rays and desiccated.
—Katherine Bourzac, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desiccate
Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 11 Feb. 2026
Sereno proposes that the creatures’ carcasses were first desiccated in a drought before suddenly being engulfed by sediment—likely brought on by a flood.
—Andrea Tamayo, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 2025
The authors argue that those features, the intact, hyper-flexed skeletons and the absence of the disarticulation expected after ordinary decay, indicate bodies had been desiccated before burial rather than interred as fresh cadavers.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
Any cell drifting in the skies is blasted with UV rays and desiccated.
—Katherine Bourzac, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desiccate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desiccate
Verb
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The question is whether this bill does so or instead sweeps innocent families into an overbroad administrative system that does little to improve child safety while undermining constitutional protections for parents.—
James R Mason,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
-
John blamed Steve for the Mac Division’s poor sales and lambasted him for undermining his authority.—
Geoffrey Cain,
Vanity Fair,
11 May 2026
Verb
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There are also included cushions that won’t fade in the sun and dry quickly after storms.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
28 Apr. 2026
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Think 360-degree stretch, lightweight breathable fibers that dry almost as fast as athletic shorts, and an antimicrobial treatment that keeps them smelling and feeling fresh in between washes.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The deeper the rifts between the United States and Europe over Iran, the greater the chances of weakening the NATO alliance.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
During his appearances on Capitol Hill this month, Secretary Kennendy was grilled about the administration's defense of the pesticide industry and weakening of protections against mercury pollution, another issue that Kennedy had worked on as an advocate.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Weighing in at 710 tons, the sculpture was built to circulate 30,000 gallons of water but has been drained since 2024 in order to have its inner workings assessed.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
7 May 2026
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Her own growth hasn’t just been paused by the demands of caring for a sick child, it’s been drained by the constant mental load that comes with it.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
Verb
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The resulting brew is dehydrated and packed with minerals and vital joint-supporting compounds.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
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Fruit leather is made by dehydrating whole fruit.—
Kelly Burch,
Verywell Health,
4 May 2026
Verb
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In group chats and meetings, Republicans are privately petrified the Iran war could cost them the midterms.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
16 Apr. 2026
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The filmmaker leans pop-comic rather than petrifying in his final draft, opting for earnestness that smothers atmospheric dread.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The starting quarterback competition is coming down to returning players Cole Ballard and Isaiah Marshall, as Jalon Daniels has exhausted his eligibility and Rice transfer Chase Jenkins recovers from an injury.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
6 May 2026
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Diplomacy, economic pressure, and international cooperation should always be exhausted first.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Keep your region in mind as well, since these plants can do well in cold and damp winters.—
Jane Kim,
The Spruce,
10 May 2026
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Persistent leaks or damp areas Leaks are one of the most common causes of household mold.—
Ryan Brennan
May 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Desiccate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desiccate. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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