SHRIVEL Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

shrivel

verb

Definition of shrivel

as in to evaporate

to become small and wrinkly usually as a result of dehydration Without irrigation, these plants would shrivel (up) and die.

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Example Sentences

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 shrivel Smaller ones may cook and shrivel up before the larger ones are tender. — Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 24 July 2026 For decades, so much water has been taken that the river seldom meets the sea in Mexico, and its delta, once filled with lush wetlands and forests, has shriveled to stretches of dry riverbed. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026 Check monthly for signs of shriveling (add moisture), blackening or softening (discard). — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026 The skin split, the ends were shriveled, and the texture was limp. — Dianna Douglas, NPR, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for shrivel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrivel

Verb

The solvent breaks apart dirt and grease molecules and evaporates quickly to leave windows streak-free.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
The result of this cooler atmosphere will be one more prone to squeezing out tropical moisture rather than just evaporating it.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of evaporate

Verb

In your audit, emergency reserves are separated from non-retirement assets because they should not ever be drained unless there is an emergency.

— Cicely Jones, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Then, crews from the Urban Search and Rescue team worked with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to drain the tank and help save the remaining bears from drowning, officials said.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of drain

Verb

Great at absorbing moisture while still preventing the growth of bacteria, these socks will dry quickly and minimize irritation.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Users usually chew it for an effect similar to amphetamines, or it is dried and boiled to create a stimulant tea.

— Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of dry

Verb

As Florida’s winter dry season stretched into a near rainless wet season, the central Everglades has withered into extreme drought conditions.

— Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Some reports suggested Bonta’s office sought the negotiations amid withering political pressure.

— Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of wither

Verb

During the 2016 Chimney Fire, which scorched more than 46,000 acres in the Santa Lucia Range, one of the family’s favorite manzanita trees burned black.

— Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2026
Dangerous heat that has scorched the Southwest for days is now spreading to the nation's midsection.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of scorch

Verb

Sunny Patel’s father, Jitendra (ph), traveled to the region from New York for a spiritual retreat, crossing the border into Tibet to start the trek when the glacier collapsed.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
Scientists who studied satellite images said bedrock underneath a glacier high in the Himalayan region had collapsed, taking part of the glacier with it.

— Victoria Milko, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of collapse

Verb

Inadequate planting holes or wrong-sized containers cause plants to wilt and may result in damaged foliage and reduced flowering.

— Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026
Last season’s experienced and highly touted offensive line wilted against the nation’s best.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of wilt

Verb

As his memories begin to fade, he's left in a panic, not wanting to lose everything.

— Grace Dean, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
It was designed to give Hawthorne’s fading downtown a boost with three major department stores — JCPenney in addition to the Broadway and Montgomery Ward — as well as numerous shops and a movie theater.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of fade

Browse Nearby Words

shrived

shrivel

shriveled

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Style

“Shrivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrivel. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of shrivel

verb

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