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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shrivel
Their leaves will begin to shrivel up, and their stems and roots will look dehydrated and thin.
—
Heather Bien, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2025
Zucchini and crookneck squash: Exterior should be free of soft spots, nicks, or shriveling.
—Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 1 Jan. 2025
After City, the likelihood of Guimaraes remaining at St James’ Park shrivelled further.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
Those that previously were able (or barely able) to make ends meet now find themselves in dire need of more financial assistance for diapers as prices rise and household budgets shrivel.
—Janet Stolfi Alfano, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrivel
Heather Bien, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2025
Zucchini and crookneck squash: Exterior should be free of soft spots, nicks, or shriveling.
—Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 1 Jan. 2025
After City, the likelihood of Guimaraes remaining at St James’ Park shrivelled further.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
Those that previously were able (or barely able) to make ends meet now find themselves in dire need of more financial assistance for diapers as prices rise and household budgets shrivel.
—Janet Stolfi Alfano, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrivel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrivel
Verb
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The water that evaporates needs to be replaced for the plant to keep functioning.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
7 June 2025
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The warm, sunny weather was helping the thin layer of oil evaporate, and the spill did not seem to harm wildlife, Laughlin said.—
Ethan Wolin,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2025
Verb
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These unnecessary burdens slow them down, drain their energy, and keep them from reaching their next level.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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Reserve forward Obi Toppin helped swing the game, draining five 3s off the bench.—
Greg Rosenstein,
NBC news,
6 June 2025
Verb
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As airflow becomes restricted, the appliance must work harder to dry your clothes, resulting in longer drying times, higher energy bills, and unnecessary wear and tear.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 June 2025
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Lemon: Rub a lemon half on stains and let shoes dry in the sun for natural whitening.—
Maryal Miller Carter,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Personnel and educational policies that recognize the value of diversity and acknowledge past injustices are under withering assault.—
Kevin Sack,
Time,
3 June 2025
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The lawsuit included a withering 4,500-word letter Tomarken wrote to the Academy’s Board of Trustees that essentially said she was being blamed for the financial losses the Academy took in holding the Grammy Awards in New York that year, rather than its usual home base of Los Angeles.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Child and pet safety: Never forget to safeguard young children and pets by not leaving them unattended in vehicles, especially during scorching weather when car interiors can become life-threateningly hot.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
31 May 2025
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Despite an evaporated offence, Toronto remained in every game late, except a scorching Sunday at George M. Steinbrenner Field.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Verb
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That’s very much the case with Two Harbors, whose shares traded in the $60s before collapsing during COVID, only mildly rebounded, then deteriorated ever since to current prices around $10 per share.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
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The signs have been there for about six months — ever since a 180-foot section of the wooden pier collapsed into the ocean after being battered by towering waves during an atmospheric river storm that wreaked havoc along the Central Coast.—
Hailey Branson-Potts,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2025
Verb
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For reasons no one can figure out, the corn crops begin to wilt and die, setting off panic.—
Rod Stafford Hagwood,
Sun Sentinel,
11 June 2025
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Sometimes only misting is needed to revive wilting grass.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Despite the metaverse hype having faded, Infinite Reality shows that investor belief in immersive environments remains, especially when linked to creator infrastructure or enterprise applications. 4.—
Elena Volotovskaya,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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When McBride isn’t answering the director’s questions and when Joynt is able to fade into the background, the documentary, which asserts little visual style other than fly-on-the-wall presence, is able to witness moments that showcase the unguarded McBride.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrivel. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
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