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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When processes break down—whether because billionaires operate above the law, presidents govern by fiat, or monopolies crush competition—that belief evaporates.—
Anthony Scaramucci,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
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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
Verb
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Track where sunlight falls throughout the day, note where wind picks up and confirm that water drains away from the area.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
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What Sacks doesn’t get is that by financing and diplomatically supporting Israel, our country makes the crimes of the Israeli government possible, which stains America’s reputation in the world and drains our Treasury.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With its PrecisionCore Heat-Free technology, the ink dries quickly to avoid smudging, while the two-sided printing capabilities increase efficiency.—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
28 Mar. 2026
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Analysts have observed that Moscow has been building up reserves and its operations are expected to gain tempo as the spring warmth dries the terrain.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That was one of our very strong stakes in the ground, to have a nuclear meltdown where the mountain collapses and Sinatra sacrifices herself.—
Deputy Managing Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
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For a few weeks every March, American productivity collapses into a blur of fake doctor’s appointments and furtive glances at phones under conference tables as the NCAA’s annual basketball tournament subsumes the culture.—
Maxwell Adler,
Vanity Fair,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Tucson will also be at or near record temperatures through March 27 as the state’s unprecedented heat wave scorches on, the weather service said.—
Ray Stern,
AZCentral.com,
25 Mar. 2026
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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
Verb
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The animation is crisp and gorgeous, and there are a few moments of stylization — such as when the main character Coco floats in the air with her mentor Qifrey and the world around them fades from frame — that captures a taste of what makes the manga such a visual triumph.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
3 Apr. 2026
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Most regular solo diners say discomfort fades after the first few times trying it.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shrivels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrivels. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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