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
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
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Because there is so much moisture in the air, your sweat will not evaporate fast enough to naturally cool your body.
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The market read it as proof that America's AI lead had evaporated.
Verb
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Several environmental groups have also proposed removing or entirely bypassing the Glen Canyon Dam, draining what's left into Lake Mead, and implementing stricter water conservation measures.
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The president said that his administration would have to drain the pool and start over again as the new liner shed chunks of itself.
Verb
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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.
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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
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Each side drew a yellow card, and four players withered on the ground in the 83rd minute after an Australian push into the box led to Bos’ slow-rolling shot that was saved.
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The legislation was first introduced in 2023 but withered in the House.
Verb
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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.
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The heat wave is expected to scorch Spain at least through Wednesday.
Verb
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When AllHere collapsed in mid-2024, the district — with Carvalho’s support — launched an internal review.
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At least 383 buildings and over 1,000 other structures had collapsed or were heavily affected, and officials were still assessing the damage.
Verb
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Lighter leaves will need less than a minute to wilt down.
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Underwatering Gardening expert Jen McDonald says that underwatering is the most common reason for petunias wilting.
Verb
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But Rosales said that tradition was fading, possibly another casualty of a more cutthroat political climate.
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The pen barrel depicts fields of wheat that fade into plowed farmland and trees, with distant mountains rising beneath a vast open sky.
Cite this Entry
“Shrivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrivel. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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