as in to evaporate
to become small and wrinkly usually as a result of dehydration
Without irrigation, these plants would shrivel (up) and die.
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Recent Examples of shrivel
Iran's Long Drought Lake Urmia, among the largest in the Middle East, shrivels from 2020-2025.
—
Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
According to The Washington Post, a document drafted by Biden administration officials intended to limit the use of sanctions to urgent national security problems inexorably shriveled from 40 pages to eight pages of toothless recommendations.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
At seven and a half months, the untreated mice looked small and shrivelled, with thin gray coats and curved spines.
—Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025
The animals have suffered from a disease that causes parts of them to shrivel and melt away.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrivel
Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
According to The Washington Post, a document drafted by Biden administration officials intended to limit the use of sanctions to urgent national security problems inexorably shriveled from 40 pages to eight pages of toothless recommendations.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
At seven and a half months, the untreated mice looked small and shrivelled, with thin gray coats and curved spines.
—Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025
The animals have suffered from a disease that causes parts of them to shrivel and melt away.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrivel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrivel
Verb
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Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thick and stock is nearly evaporated, about 50 minutes.—
Elizabeth Mervosh,
Southern Living,
12 Oct. 2025
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Volatile solvents, such as isododecane, evaporate quickly to deliver instant payoff, while emollients keep lips soft and moisturized for comfortable wear.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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González, not known as a shooter when the Celtics drafted him, drained one of two 3-point attempts.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
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Most indoor plants are watered from the top until the water drains from the pot through the drainage holes.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Its fast-yet-gentle drying power comes from Dyson’s patented Air Multiplier technology and intelligent heat control, which helps prevent damage while keeping noise to a minimum.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
8 Oct. 2025
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Let the balloon dry a full 24 hours before popping it.—
Ellen Sturm Niz,
Parents,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The platform has been heavily criticized over the last year by users who’ve said their smart home gadgets have been left to wither as Google moves away from Assistant and focuses on Gemini.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
8 Oct. 2025
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But previous Daniel Jones models would have withered after such an ugly start and retreated to an all-checkdown menu for the rest of the game.—
J.J. Bailey,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Leaf scorch on indoor plants is typically caused by drying drafts, high temperatures, incorrect light choices, or cold stress.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
9 Oct. 2025
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Allure editors have long sung the praises of Dyson’s beauty tools—like the Supersonic Origin Hair Dryer, which cuts dry time without scorching your strands, and the Airwrap Origin, known for giving you a salon-quality blowout with barely any heat.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ares instead collapses the two, transporting technology from the other universe—like the light cycle, a futuristic motorcycle that’s become a franchise icon—onto real-world streets.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
10 Oct. 2025
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Polling data show Jones' support collapsing.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The pavements were peppered with deep puddles, and grassy areas wilted into mud.—
Fiona Mozley,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Oct. 2025
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Jewell Loyd grabbed four offensive rebounds, with every extra possession mattering in a contest with such slim margins as the Fever refused to wilt.—
Ben Pickman,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That legacy hasn’t faded, but the region feels freshly alive these days as chefs, artists, and creative entrepreneurs put down roots.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Oct. 2025
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With spring bloomers like azaleas, wait to prune later in spring after the flowers have faded.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrivel. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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