as in evaporates
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 shrivels
Drought shrivels the grapes; excessive heat deprives the juice of acidity; too much rain results in rampant mold.
—
Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrivels
Verb
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The detection is particularly remarkable because carbon dioxide ice evaporates more easily than water ice.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2026
-
High oven heat evaporates excess moisture.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Pack drains a 3 and is up to 19 points, and Texas is on the verge of tumbling to the 10th seed in the SEC Tournament and back onto the NCAA bubble.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Choose a commercial seed-starting mix that is loose and drains well.—
Holly McNamara,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The mascara dries quickly, and there’s no mess or smudging.—
Jacquelyn Smith,
Parents,
10 Mar. 2026
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Anyone who regularly dries indoors should consider a dehumidifier.—
Melissa Grustat,
Architectural Digest,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Bluff collapses, sometimes caused by natural erosion, are not uncommon in north San Diego and along beaches in North County.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
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The game between Dallas and the Columbus Blue Jackets is postponed by the NHL after Stars forward Rich Peverley collapses on the bench during the first period.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As the world around them scorches under record heat, a family walks into the woods, asking what the future holds in this thermal dystopia.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
14 Jan. 2026
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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
-
Support for DiCaprio fades, and Day-Lewis wins his third Oscar.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Energy drinks can give you a quick burst of energy, but that boost often fades fast.—
Laura Dorwart,
Verywell Health,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shrivels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrivels. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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