SHRIVELS Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

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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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

Verb

And then there’s that Omius headband, which uses graphite blocks to pull heat away from the skin as water evaporates.

— Nadia Neophytou, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
As the water evaporates, top up your micropond with fresh water.

— Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of evaporates

Verb

Once the cycle is complete, the dirty water drains away and you’re left with clean, wet clothing.

— Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2026
Defensiveness extends conversations, weakens credibility and drains emotional energy that could have been directed toward solving problems.

— Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of drains

Verb

When a shopping agent handles discovery, evaluation and checkout in a single conversation, the funnel collapses into one step.

— Haozhuang Dai, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
If the merger collapses altogether, Paramount would instead be on the hook for a $7 billion termination fee to WBD.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of collapses

Verb

The city is bracing for triple digit temperatures this week as another heat wave scorches Central and Eastern Europe, driving fears that levels could drop even further.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of scorches

Verb

As new variants emerge and immunity from prior exposure fades, conditions become more favorable for infection.

— Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026
Copley agrees with this sentiment, noting that the scent of essential oils fades quicker if a room is too cold, drafty, or large.

— Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of fades

Browse Nearby Words

shriveling

shrivels

shriven

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“Shrivels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrivels. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of shrivels

verb

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