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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Because alcohol evaporates quickly, your couch should follow suit.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Last year, master distiller Brian Prewitt told Robb Report that the Commonwealth’s hot, humid summers and mild winters mean that more water evaporates as part of the angel’s share than alcohol.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Simeon Wilcher comes off the bench for Texas and drains a trey from the baseline, and Texas has roared back into this game with a 7-0 run.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
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This happens when the oil drains from the engine overnight.—
John Paul,
The Providence Journal,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Use an exterior polycrylic-style lacquer, applying two to three thin coats once the paint dries.—
Shagun Khare,
Martha Stewart,
19 Feb. 2026
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West says that fragrances with deeper notes like musk, tobacco, and cardamom, create a lasting impression as the fragrance dries down throughout the day.—
Allure,
Allure,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Later in the film, as Cristian’s father disappears for long stretches of time seeking temporary work, Cristian pulls out a child-sized onesie from the closet in Olga’s guest room; her face collapses, her reaction indicating some palpable trauma the filmmaker doesn’t deign to overexplain.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
18 Feb. 2026
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In it, a late-night talk show host, who is facing possible cancellation, collapses and dies on air, plunging the production into chaos.—
Angela Lian,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Feb. 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
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Singleton acknowledged that sustaining the coordinated, multi-agency model beyond the World Cup will be difficult once the spotlight fades.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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The continent’s funds have seen steady inflows over the last 12 months, after years of outflows, as pessimism over Europe’s economy fades.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shrivels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrivels. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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