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

If lawmakers don’t extend it, the cornerstone of the Pentagon’s legal argument will evaporate.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
Stir in beer and cook until has mostly evaporated, about 10 minutes longer.

— Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of evaporate

Verb

Detectives drained three dams, searched six mineshafts and sent up drones with specialized cameras to take detailed imagery, later analyzed with artificial intelligence.

— Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
The book leans on research about decision fatigue—the idea that even trivial choices drain the mental capacity available for harder ones—to argue that the sheer volume of daily inputs, not just their content, has a cost.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 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

This has always been a heated game, the rivalry burning hot long before Kiffin scorched the Earth on his way out the door.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
The Ross Fire in Palo Pinto County has been fully extinguished after burning for 23 days and scorching roughly 90,000 acres across North Texas.

— Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of scorch

Verb

The bubbles pry apart the mold’s cell walls and collapse its protective structure from the inside out to kill it.

— Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 20 Sep. 2026
A week after collapsing against Alabama, Kentucky responded in its next Southeastern Conference game.

— Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of collapse

Verb

Add 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water, bring to a simmer, and cook, stirring often, until greens are wilted and have lost about half of their volume, about 4 minutes.

— Julia Sullivan, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026
The outer leaves of the cabbage should look crisp, not wilted or floppy.

— Laura Manzano, Martha Stewart, 18 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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“Shrivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrivel. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of shrivel

verb

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