desiccating

verb

present participle of desiccate
1
as in undermining
to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality that historian's dryasdust prose desiccates what is actually an exciting period in European history

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drying
to make dry add a cup of desiccated coconut to the mix

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of desiccating Another advantage of long and narrow leaves is their ability to withstand heavy rainfall and battering or desiccating winds. — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 4 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desiccating
  1. undermining
  2. drying
  3. draining
  4. weakening
  5. exhausting
  6. dehydrating
  7. enervating
  8. deadening
Verb
  • The act grants the NCAA absolute control over athlete eligibility through this antitrust shield, undermining federal and state law, specifically Title IX and who can compete in the women’s category.
    — Katie Uhlaender OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026
  • At least a dozen attacks on Ebola treatment centers and health workers in Congo’s Ituri province are undermining containment efforts, raising fresh alarm over safety at the outbreak’s epicenter.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2026
Definition of undermining
Verb
  • Made of breathable, quick-drying fabric that helps wick away moisture, the relaxed silhouette helps promote airflow while still looking polished.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 July 2026
  • Using lightweight technical yarns and relaxed silhouettes, the pieces are intended to be quick-drying and adaptable enough to work from everyday errands to formal events, in line with Silberstein’s overall ethos.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 20 July 2026
Definition of drying
Verb
  • Fabricating a purely electromechanical robot at the millimeter scale requires intricate, heavy motors that consume significant power, typically draining tiny batteries within mere minutes of operation.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 July 2026
  • Roses require nutrient-rich, well-draining soil for healthy growth.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 16 July 2026
Definition of draining
Verb
  • The Knesset also recently passed several bills connected with Netanyahu’s attempts to overhaul the judiciary, including increasing government control over broadcast media and weakening the role of the attorney general.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 July 2026
  • European commitment is weakening, with record Russian LNG purchases and growing pro-Russian political factions.
    — Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of weakening
Verb
  • But there were hero moments here too, the same refusal to lose, the same team-work, the same selfless effort in exhausting physical conditions.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 12 July 2026
  • The two young women at the center of the chamber piece that is Fruit Gathering face more challenges than hard work in a monotonous environment, including exhausting work, economic uncertainty and social repression.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
Definition of exhausting
Verb
  • Caffeine and alcohol both have dehydrating effects, so drink alcohol in moderation and alternate every drink with water or another non-alcoholic option.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
  • Caffeine and alcohol both have dehydrating effects, so drink alcohol in moderation and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks throughout the day.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026
Definition of dehydrating
Verb
  • Campbell, the North Carolina folk singer, describes an enervating process marked by back-and-forth exchanges and lots of waiting.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Jenny deflected me with enervating ease.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of enervating
Verb
  • Sam Lambert laid down a safety squeeze, deadening the ball in front of the plate and scoring Balls to trim the lead to 3-1.
    — Dave Montrose, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2026
  • Another suggestion was requiring special sound-deadening balls, currently available, that lower the decibel levels considerably.
    — John Ramos, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of deadening

Browse Nearby Words

desiccates
desiccating
desiderata
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Cite this Entry

“Desiccating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desiccating. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on desiccating

Nglish: Translation of desiccating for Spanish Speakers

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