variants
or shrivelling
as in wilting
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
variants
or shrivelling
as in evaporating
to become small and wrinkly usually as a result of dehydration
Without irrigation, these plants would shrivel (up) and die.
Related Words
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 shriveling
Tom Yulsman, Time, 23 Feb. 2026
Wrinkling, shriveling, spines falling off, discoloration, and drooping are all signs of underwatering.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Feb. 2026
And with the shriveling of Kate Spade (and excluding Stuart Weitzman, which Tapestry recently unloaded), Coach represents nearly 80% of Tapestry sales.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2025
Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026
The Great Salt Lake has been shriveling up for decades.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026
Winter The goal in winter is to water cacti just enough to prevent them from shriveling and wrinkling.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Feb. 2026
Concern is also growing over how salaries have lagged behind inflation, shriveling in value and squeezing household budgets.
—Isabel Debre, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
The industry has been shriveling for years.
—Seth Yudof, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2025
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
Noun
Unsettling events like these are taking place in the context of climate warming that’s occurring at nearly four times the rate of the global average, and resulting long-term shriveling of the Arctic’s floating lid of sea ice.
—Tom Yulsman, Time, 23 Feb. 2026
Wrinkling, shriveling, spines falling off, discoloration, and drooping are all signs of underwatering.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Feb. 2026
And with the shriveling of Kate Spade (and excluding Stuart Weitzman, which Tapestry recently unloaded), Coach represents nearly 80% of Tapestry sales.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
Store limes in your fridge’s crisper drawer, which has a lower humidity level that keeps the skins from shriveling.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026
The Great Salt Lake has been shriveling up for decades.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026
Winter The goal in winter is to water cacti just enough to prevent them from shriveling and wrinkling.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Feb. 2026
Concern is also growing over how salaries have lagged behind inflation, shriveling in value and squeezing household budgets.
—Isabel Debre, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
The industry has been shriveling for years.
—Seth Yudof, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shriveling
Noun
-
April in Central Florida is commonly one of the drier months of the year before summer rains, showing itself instead with brown lawns, wilting bushes, burning forests and smoky skies.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Signs of overwatering include drooping, wilting, or yellowing leaves.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The move will save 5,000 acre-feet of water from evaporating from the surface of Antero Reservoir, which has the highest evaporative rate of Denver Water’s reservoirs.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The city says moving the water to Cheesman Reservoir will prevent around 5,000 acre-feet of water from evaporating.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The geopolitical conflict in the Middle East is actively draining the American wallet.—
Katica Roy,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The perfusionist questioned the decision to stop disinfecting the units, saying his concern with draining was that if the tanks weren’t completely dry and still contained moisture, bacteria could form.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While it’s made of weather-resistant wicker, shoppers recommend covering it during inclement weather to prevent fading.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Proper storage—like keeping books upright, away from moisture, and out of direct sunlight—prevents fading, mold, and pests.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The multitude of water managers tasked with overseeing the drying Colorado River system stand at a dire crossroads.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
-
There are a few different ways to prepare raisins, from drying them in the sun to using a food dehydrator.—
Caroline C. Boyle,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But Wells points out that in addition to the natural waning of the virus, other public health measures, such as vaccination and isolation, are instrumental in stopping its spread.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
As this process is the main source of energy produced by the sun, this will mean the outward pressure that stops the sun from collapsing under its own gravity also ceases.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
23 Apr. 2026
-
And what's the difference between weakening and collapsing?—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Reports showing inflation and unemployment declining have subsequently been released, and a nominee for the Federal Reserve chairman role has since been announced.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shriveling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shriveling. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
