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
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
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
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When the air is dry, sweat evaporates quickly and even on very hot days, most people can produce enough sweat to keep their body temperature regulated.
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Nearly half the water evaporates or seeps into the ground under the canals before reaching its destination.
Verb
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Make sure to empty any excess water that drains into the saucer to keep the roots from getting soggy.
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If a demanding day drains you, take a short break before making a purchase.
Verb
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It’s made especially for hot days with sweat-wicking technology that dries quickly.
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Our editors love this multi-styling tool, which dries hair quickly and creates a variety of styles, from fluffy curls to sleek straight tresses.
Verb
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Canvas collapses what has typically been a fragmented production chain into a single workspace.
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If the cost of producing a complex tax plan collapses toward zero, what exactly is the client paying for—and who keeps the fee?
Verb
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France followed its hottest-ever day with yet more brutal temperatures as a deadly heat wave scorches much of western Europe.
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Protection from the sun is key for this plant because bright sun scorches its leaves.
Verb
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But rental business owners like Zhao observed that the rental prices have begun to slide as novelty surrounding these stunt-performing androids fades.
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But as hope of finding survivors fades and the number of dead continues to climb, many fear the political aftershocks of the disaster may prove nearly as destabilizing as the earthquake itself.
Cite this Entry
“Shrivels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrivels. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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