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
Colonialism had quite a lot to do with their decline, practically from the moment the Dutch set foot here in the early 18th century: the colonists shrivelled our forests, brought rats on their boats.
—
Ariel Saramandi, The Dial, 29 July 2025
Avoid peppers that are shriveled, bruised, or have soft spots.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 July 2025
Leaves and buds that are bitten by frost will blacken and shrivel, sometimes all over the plant.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 July 2025
The outdoor industry is rapidly learning that many of its most passionate customers maintain a level of chaos that would make Marie Kondo shrivel up and die from anxiety.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrivel
Ariel Saramandi, The Dial, 29 July 2025
Avoid peppers that are shriveled, bruised, or have soft spots.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 July 2025
Leaves and buds that are bitten by frost will blacken and shrivel, sometimes all over the plant.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 July 2025
The outdoor industry is rapidly learning that many of its most passionate customers maintain a level of chaos that would make Marie Kondo shrivel up and die from anxiety.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrivel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrivel
Verb
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Synergies evaporated, growth never materialized, and years later the stock is still trading far below its debut highs.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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With an 18-16 loss, the facade of Florida football, coach Billy Napier, the Heisman campaign of DJ Lagway and any likely College Football Playoff aspirations evaporated.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The cool-season annual needs full sun and well-draining soil to grow, and prefers mild temperatures.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
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Fraudulent pet listings are leaving victims emotionally devastated and financially drained, Dennis Horton, senior director of the Rockford Regional Office, said in the announcement.—
Abreanna Blose,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Most need to be dried on the tumble dry low setting to preserve their quality.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
3 Sep. 2025
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Heated air dries the clothes and breaks down the ozone, with sensors and filters ensuring no harmful gases or droplets are released.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Some leaves wither brown, some keep green.—
Jane Hirshfield,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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If they are left to wither, leaders have to ask what steps are missing.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The temperature on the field was scorching, yet Ryan started off cold.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
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Historic data According to NIFC records for 2024, lightning ignited 305 fires in California, scorching 90,206 acres of wildland.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The marathon meeting evoked memories of a past era of contentious county budgets in the wake of the 2008 housing crash, when collapsed real estate values caused a severe revenue crunch for Miami-Dade.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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But there have still been high-profile rail bridge collapses like the one in Montana two years ago that sent a train hauling petroleum products into the Yellowstone River, sending tar balls downstream that had to be cleaned up.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Many, many times, teams will wilt in those circumstances.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Avoid warm or hot water, which can wilt the leaves.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Midnight blue, a heavier shade, has been favored in recent years as the summer fades and fall approaches.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
6 Sep. 2025
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As the sun set over the East River, the music faded but the warmth lingered.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrivel. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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