SHRIVEL Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

shrivel

verb

Definition of shrivel

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

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 shrivel Smaller ones may cook and shrivel up before the larger ones are tender. — Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 24 July 2026 For decades, so much water has been taken that the river seldom meets the sea in Mexico, and its delta, once filled with lush wetlands and forests, has shriveled to stretches of dry riverbed. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026 Check monthly for signs of shriveling (add moisture), blackening or softening (discard). — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026 The skin split, the ends were shriveled, and the texture was limp. — Dianna Douglas, NPR, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for shrivel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrivel

Verb

Cook, stirring occasionally, until the milk has almost completely evaporated, about 15 minutes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
Brands arrive, projects launch, training happens, and then sourcing priorities shift and the investment evaporates.

— Bart Vollaard, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of evaporate

Verb

As a young man, Francisco traversed it on horseback, eking out a living by draining resin from the towering pines.

— Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Management voluntarily closed the store until a three-compartment sink could be fixed to drain properly.

— Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of drain

Verb

Water, detergent, agitation and friction all take a toll, and drying piles on heat and more tumbling.

— Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026
Many of the winners are easy to use, quick to apply, and beginner-friendly, including press-on kits, fast-drying polishes and topcoats, and nourishing base layers.

— Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of dry

Verb

Sarah Dorsey, a parent at Ardrey Kell, previously said her trust in the district has withered amid the upheaval.

— Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2026
Instead, there were moments in Sunday’s decisive 23-10 victory that give hope that these aren’t the same Jets from a year ago, who withered quickly in a lost season and didn’t win their first game until late October.

— Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of wither

Verb

Sudan’s civil war turned its national museum into a battlefield and crime scene, with ancient statues shattered, skeletal remains scorched and vaults of gold looted.

— Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
The right side of the plane had what appeared to be scorch marks.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of scorch

Verb

That pair, combined with the wider structure and personnel around them, ensure Leeds do not collapse when home sides like Brighton, predictably, lay it on thick.

— Beren Cross, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Researchers believe volcanic activity triggered an underwater landslide and caused a large chunk of Anak Krakatau’s southwest slope to collapse and displace a large volume of water.

— Tatan Syuflana, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of collapse

Verb

But Chelsea never wilted, never stopped pushing and probing for an equaliser, and almost found one in the final minutes when substitute Estevao’s wicked curler brought a world-class save out of Raya.

— Liam Twomey, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Despite extreme heat conditions — Georgia noted the on-field temperature reached 110 degrees — the Bulldogs did not wilt.

— Connor Riley, AJC.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of wilt

Verb

Some members of the Fed’s interest-rate setting committee still expect inflation, outside of food and energy, to fade over time and may not feel a rate hike is necessary.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026
Reid Detmers struck out eight over six innings, and Jose Siri and Denzer Guzman each drove in two runs to help the Angels beat the fading Seattle Mariners 6-4 on Monday night.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of fade

Browse Nearby Words

shrived

shrivel

shriveled

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Style

“Shrivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrivel. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of shrivel

verb

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