as in to evaporate
to become small and wrinkly usually as a result of dehydration
Without irrigation, these plants would shrivel (up) and die.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
The human heart shrivels away in space, but researchers have found that mini-hearts grown from human stem cells sprout in space significantly faster than in labs on Earth.
—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
3 May 2026
Berries that are shriveled, soft, or visibly mushy are likely past their prime and won’t be appetizing.
—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
30 Apr. 2026
Healthy-looking buds shrivel, turn brown at the base, and fall off before opening.
—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Apr. 2026
Sales of photography, moving-image work, sculpture, and most conceptual work have shriveled up, except at the very highest levels.
—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shrivel
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
3 May 2026
Berries that are shriveled, soft, or visibly mushy are likely past their prime and won’t be appetizing.
—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
30 Apr. 2026
Healthy-looking buds shrivel, turn brown at the base, and fall off before opening.
—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Apr. 2026
Sales of photography, moving-image work, sculpture, and most conceptual work have shriveled up, except at the very highest levels.
—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shrivel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrivel
Verb
-
But that oversupply has evaporated and rapidly turned into a concerning deficit.
-
The corporate world's intense focus on sustainability reporting, a 2023 priority, has rapidly evaporated, replaced by the latest AI craze.
Verb
-
The hotel’s wellness center offers Ayurvedic herbal scrubs, Reiki, hydrotherapy, lymphatic draining massages, colonics and acupuncture.
-
Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
Verb
-
Either way, Aestura’s Atobarrier 365 Ceramide Cream Mist is an easy way to give quick hydration to dry, stressed skin, thanks to an ultrafine spray packed with ceramides.
-
On its extensive resume are tasks like soothing angry, overheated skin; combatting signs of photoaging courtesy of vitamin C; and preventing moisture loss by way of squalane (an emollient that permeates skin with hydration after salty water or unexpected beach breezes dry it out).
Verb
-
Uzbekistan, playing in its first World Cup, was not intimidated by the big stage, weathering a withering Colombia attack in a 3-1 loss.
-
White evangelical churches—revivalists, under Sutton’s classification system—experienced remarkable growth, while liberal mainline Protestant churches withered.
Verb
-
An uncontained blaze in Utah’s Juab County has scorched 34 square miles, forcing the evacuation of Eureka and nearby ranches as firefighters race to shield homes amid fierce winds.
-
The heat wave is expected to scorch Spain at least through Wednesday.
Verb
-
Over 14 months, Safiya -- a pediatrician by training -- became one of the most prominent voices in Gaza, speaking out on social media about the strip's collapsing healthcare system.
-
In mature markets like Oregon and Colorado, wholesale flower prices have collapsed dramatically.
Verb
-
Intended as a celebration of the progress embodied by the nation's first Black leader, its Juneteenth unveiling comes at a time when his agenda - and broader diversity initiatives - are wilting from a decade of concerted attack.
-
The Algerian defense seemed beaten, broken and demoralized by Messi and his teammates and wilted by the heat in Kansas City.
Verb
-
Just faded to a dark backdrop of the forgotten.
-
After Flowering As soon as the blooms fade, cut the flower stalk at the stalk base on an angle using sharp pruners, says Eric Nieusma, co-owner of Maine Hill Farm.
Cite this Entry
“Shrivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrivel. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
