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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But that oversupply has evaporated and rapidly turned into a concerning deficit.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
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The corporate world's intense focus on sustainability reporting, a 2023 priority, has rapidly evaporated, replaced by the latest AI craze.—
Jon McGowan,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
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The hotel’s wellness center offers Ayurvedic herbal scrubs, Reiki, hydrotherapy, lymphatic draining massages, colonics and acupuncture.—
Sandra Guzmán,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
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Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Verb
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There was a lengthy delay between the top and bottom of the second while the grounds crew attempted to dry the infield.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
17 June 2026
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Wipe the remaining interior with a wet, non-abrasive sponge to remove any residue, then dry with a clean cloth.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Uzbekistan, playing in its first World Cup, was not intimidated by the big stage, weathering a withering Colombia attack in a 3-1 loss.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
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White evangelical churches—revivalists, under Sutton’s classification system—experienced remarkable growth, while liberal mainline Protestant churches withered.—
Michael Luo,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Signs of heat stress include prematurely dropped fruit, wilting, drooping branches, and scorched leaves.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 June 2026
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Wildfires caused by dry spells scorch thousands of acres of dry brush, and sinkholes collapse the ground into empty underground caverns once filled with water.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2026
Verb
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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.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
20 June 2026
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In mature markets like Oregon and Colorado, wholesale flower prices have collapsed dramatically.—
Peter Su,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Verb
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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.—
CBS Chicago Team,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
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The Algerian defense seemed beaten, broken and demoralized by Messi and his teammates and wilted by the heat in Kansas City.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Just faded to a dark backdrop of the forgotten.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 June 2026
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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.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shrivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrivel. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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