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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Once the solvent evaporates, the proteins can be reused to produce fibers with properties similar to the original material.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
18 May 2026
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Since water evaporates at higher temperatures, fuel cells have struggled to operate at these temperatures, limiting their usage as well.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Leaking faucets, pipes, and air conditioning units should be repaired, and the ground next to the foundation should be sloped so that surface water drains away from the building.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
14 May 2026
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Most varieties prefer full sun to partial shade and rich, slightly acidic soil that drains well.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Water in the morning so the foliage dries by midday.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2026
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The all-in-one station empties the dust, washes, and dries its own mop pads.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
7 May 2026
Verb
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That collapses the distinction the GENIUS Act drafters wrote into the statute.—
Zennon Kapron,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
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Health care collapses without us.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
18 May 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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Shows end and fame fades, but the beef stands will stay slinging.—
Zareen Syed,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2026
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As for what happens when Pete fades entirely, that remains a mystery— but season 6 will finally have to reveal the answer.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shrivels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrivels. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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