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
Weather extremes are shrivelling harvests on India's tea plantations, endangering the future of an industry famed for beverages as refreshing as Assam and Darjeeling, while reshaping a global trade estimated at more than $10 billion a year.
—
Tora Agarwala, Reuters, 29 Aug. 2025
Iran's Long Drought Lake Urmia, among the largest in the Middle East, shrivels from 2020-2025.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
According to The Washington Post, a document drafted by Biden administration officials intended to limit the use of sanctions to urgent national security problems inexorably shriveled from 40 pages to eight pages of toothless recommendations.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
The animals have suffered from a disease that causes parts of them to shrivel and melt away.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrivel
Tora Agarwala, Reuters, 29 Aug. 2025
Iran's Long Drought Lake Urmia, among the largest in the Middle East, shrivels from 2020-2025.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
According to The Washington Post, a document drafted by Biden administration officials intended to limit the use of sanctions to urgent national security problems inexorably shriveled from 40 pages to eight pages of toothless recommendations.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
The animals have suffered from a disease that causes parts of them to shrivel and melt away.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrivel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrivel
Verb
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The moon activating Neptune can evaporate a feeling of groundedness.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
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Following the team's bye week, Colorado entered its contest against Utah headed in the right direction, but the momentum the team found just two weeks prior evaporated in an instant.—
Andrew McCarty,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This big snaking thing is dipped into the pool, and starts draining it from everyone else.—
Caroline Mimbs Nyce,
New Yorker,
30 Oct. 2025
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The following weeks were emotionally draining.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Other nice features include a handle that drops parallel with the floor to clean under furniture and a sponge mode that uses suction to help dry the floor after mopping.—
Editors of Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Oct. 2025
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Dry hair doesn’t curl as easily as damp hair, while hair that’s soaking wet requires too much time to dry in the rollers.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But after withering on the Houston bench for two years in an overcrowded forward rotation, he’s primed for a leap in Year 3.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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This week’s chilly temperatures may have Hoosiers shivering but garden plants may be withering.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But the Browns are 2-6 with little to look forward to, prompting Cleveland radio host Ken Carman to go scorched earth and call for Sanders, the Colorado alum, to start.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
28 Oct. 2025
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That’s the difference between fury that scorches everything in sight and anger that fuels justice.—
Marc Brackett,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Paul Taylor What the data says Forest’s Champions League push collapsed last season after wasteful finishing, and that profligacy has carried over into the new campaign.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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Shortly after their conversation, Forrest learned Phoenix had collapsed and was seizing on the sidewalk outside of the nightclub.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Napa cabbage is an option, just note that the leaves are thinner, more tender and apt to wilt more than green cabbage.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
24 Oct. 2025
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Swathe greens, herbs, and other veggies in damp paper towels to retain moisture levels and keep the produce from wilting.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mankinlu Maple Leaf Solar Pathway Lights As daylight starts to fade earlier, these cute pathway lights add both charm and function to your yard.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
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The Trail Blazers faded in the fourth quarter en route to a 118-114 loss to the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrivel. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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