shrivels

verb

present tense third-person singular of shrivel
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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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 shrivels 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrivels
  1. evaporates
  2. drains
  3. dries
  4. collapses
  5. scorches
  6. fades
Verb
  • As fans pull air through the water, a small amount evaporates, cooling the remaining water, which recirculates to take up more heat.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
  • Water delivered in the afternoon heat evaporates too quickly for plants to use it effectively.
    — Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 13 July 2026
Definition of evaporates
Verb
  • But pushing through outdoor events in 90+-degree weather drains cognitive reserves rather than replenishing them.
    — Nicole F. Roberts, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Nutrient leaching when water drains out of containers and baskets adds to the problem.
    — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2026
Definition of drains
Verb
  • Airflow heats the barrel, and dries the hair while curling it in a process that uses 40 percent less energy than hair-dryer and brush methods.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 9 July 2026
  • Notably, like my favorite Make Beauty skin tint, the concealer is super moisturizing, and dries down to look like an extension of my skin rather than settling into fine lines with a papery, flaky finish.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 1 July 2026
Definition of dries
Verb
  • Then, just as Hawkins manages to get himself out of a particularly dire bunker, Old Henry collapses and dies on the spot.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 16 July 2026
  • Unlike most toppers, which include a cabover alcove, the Wingman collapses down to a basic box for travel.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 July 2026
Definition of collapses
Verb
  • France followed its hottest-ever day with yet more brutal temperatures as a deadly heat wave scorches much of western Europe.
    — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 24 June 2026
  • Protection from the sun is key for this plant because bright sun scorches its leaves.
    — Lauren David, Southern Living, 4 June 2026
Definition of scorches
Verb
  • But our excitement fades as Nolan’s camera captures the men raping women, looting houses and reveling in the violence.
    — Brent Lang, Variety, 21 July 2026
  • Whether a circadian score becomes the next sleep score or fades as another wellness metric depends on how well the data actually changes behavior.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2026
Definition of fades

Browse Nearby Words

shriveling
shrivels
shriven
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Cite this Entry

“Shrivels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrivels. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on shrivels

Nglish: Translation of shrivels for Spanish Speakers

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