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
And then emergency snacks for my kid, often shriveled up raisins all over the bottom of the bag.
—
Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
The Great Salt Lake has been shriveling up for decades.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 7 Mar. 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
Many plants look shriveled up and dead, but are actually just conserving water and energy during the cold winter months.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shrivel
Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
The Great Salt Lake has been shriveling up for decades.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 7 Mar. 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
Many plants look shriveled up and dead, but are actually just conserving water and energy during the cold winter months.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shrivel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrivel
Verb
-
Democrats’ jubilation over the prospect of claiming four new Virginia House seats evaporated on Friday, cementing a new GOP advantage in the mid-decade congressional redistricting war.—
Nicholas Wu,
semafor.com,
8 May 2026
-
Our protoplanetary disk has long since evaporated, as has any trace of a circumstellar debris disk.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
There are also included cushions that won’t fade in the sun and dry quickly after storms.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
28 Apr. 2026
-
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
-
Ohm, well played by Scott who can wither with you with a look, is the classic ugly American and is rude to everyone at the hotel, but those putdowns and cruelty hides his self loathing.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
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But without original ideas in the product pipeline, the company would wither on the vine despite its many long-running hits, Zelnick observed.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Yet even a disappointing ruling at the high court doesn’t mean the MAHA movement is defeated or should completely go scorched earth on the administration.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The Blazers could not hold on after building a 65-59 halftime lead, an edge built by shooting a scorching 10-of-21 from 3-point range.—
Christian Clark,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In 2021, an elevated overpass on a Mexico City metro line collapsed onto a road, killing 26 people and injuring dozens just as a subway train was crossing over the section.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
-
Other scientists warned that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), the great ocean conveyor belt, is more likely to collapse than expected, which will freeze European capitals and disrupt monsoons in West Africa and India.—
Natalie Sum Yue Chung,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Herbs shouldn't be allowed to dry out and wilt, and the soil in containers will dry out more frequently than the soil in the ground.—
Jenny Hughes,
The Spruce,
2 May 2026
-
Come winter most gardens are a little past their prime, looking brown, wilted, and maybe a little sad.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The practice didn’t fade with the modern age; women across generations have kept it alive.—
Boutheina Ben Salem,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
-
After the rogue’s gallery is introduced early on, nearly everyone except for Tim, Elliot, and Rebecca fades into the background, although delightfully, Emma Thompson nails her brief comedic role as a brusque solicitor handling George’s last will and testament.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shrivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrivel. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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