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 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 As the disease progresses, the lesions grow together on a single leaf, and the entire leaf turns brown, shrivels, and dies. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 June 2026 For every two flashes of brilliance there’s another track that just sounds like an unfinished instrumental, or a new cut that shrivels at the feet of the old ones. — Eli Enis, Pitchfork, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for shrivel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrivel

Verb

Two losing bets would have evaporated the remainder of the season’s profits and brought the home run bets into the red.

— Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
The three goals from Boston actually tied a season high as Bianca St-Georges finished off a cross at the far post from Hanson’s Sammy Smith in the 31st minute to give Boston some momentum that quickly evaporated with Tordin’s final tally.

— Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of evaporate

Verb

Your table is ready, the waiter said, and Rebecca drained her glass and stood.

— Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026
Most of the region’s sewers were engineered generations ago to drain well under 2 inches of rain per hour, and a cloudburst can deliver double that amount.

— Ravi S. Bhalla, New York Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of drain

Verb

That means my greasy microfiber cloths do get washed with my cotton drying towels, along with oven mitts, linen napkins, and the seat pads for my counter stools (my kids somehow manage to trash them every week).

— Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026
Once your produce is fully dried, store it in an airtight container so moisture cannot creep back in.

— Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of dry

Verb

Unfortunately, despite the best bipartisan intentions of all concerned over the last 18 months, any initiative for a federal TV and film has withered on the Executive Office and Congressional vine.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026
Atlanta City Council is directing city departments to beef up efforts to protect residents from the growing threat of extreme heat after the city recently faced withering critiques from homeless services groups for its response to a recent heatwave.

— Drew Kann, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of wither

Verb

Pyroclastic flows – fast-moving clouds of scorching gas, ash, and rock – could devastate territory near the caldera.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
The fire began Sunday morning in the Los Padres National Forest southeast of the neighborhood of Loma Vista and quickly scorched 400 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of scorch

Verb

Starring Zhou Xun, Wang Xiao and Tian Zhuangzhuang, the film revolves around a middle-aged former TV host whose memory starts to slowly fade, forcing her to confront the fractures within her family and the choices that shaped her life.

— Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
But workers who are rusting out still report to their shifts and perform, although with a fading sense of purpose.

— Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of fade

Browse Nearby Words

shrived

shrivel

shriveled

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“Shrivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrivel. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of shrivel

verb

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