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
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Recent Examples of shrivel
That count morphed to more than 300 million monthly users by 2016, but had shriveled to 36 million in 2023, Microsoft said.
—
Kate Gibson, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2025
This method results in a large percentage of the water in the grapes to be lost, resulting in these dehydrated berries shriveling, often to the size of raisins.
—Tom Hyland, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
This will be a short and sharp promotion run: After a few days, the flower’s structure will shrivel and collapse.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2025
Against that enormous and dramatic chronological backdrop, the American Indians shriveled in significance.
—Caroline Winterer / Made By History, TIME, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrivel
Kate Gibson, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2025
This method results in a large percentage of the water in the grapes to be lost, resulting in these dehydrated berries shriveling, often to the size of raisins.
—Tom Hyland, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
This will be a short and sharp promotion run: After a few days, the flower’s structure will shrivel and collapse.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2025
Against that enormous and dramatic chronological backdrop, the American Indians shriveled in significance.
—Caroline Winterer / Made By History, TIME, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrivel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrivel
Verb
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Miami surged ahead by 14 points in the second quarter, but that lead evaporated and the game went to the fourth tied at 83 before a group of reserves led a furious 16-3 fourth quarter spurt.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2025
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In 1974 Stephen Hawking realized that black holes must slowly evaporate by emitting particles that eventually deplete the black hole down to nothing.—
Clara Moskowitz,
Scientific American,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Payne drained a 3-pointer the next time down the floor to tie the game, 98-98.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2025
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Stroll around and behold the sprawling gardens, luxurious poolside accommodations, spectacular ocean views and the fresh sea air and let the stress drain from your soul.—
Josh Max,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Use a fragrance-free wash with a creamy formula, which tends to be less drying—think: a thicker, lotion-like consistency versus a thin and sudsy one.—
Alisa Hrustic,
SELF,
9 Apr. 2025
-
First, clean and dry the area, then cut the tape to cover the scar with a small margin around the perimeter.—
India Espy-Jones,
Essence,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Orwell’s opinion of Wodehouse’s attackers was withering.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
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Factories closed, workers were laid off and heartland communities withered.—
Time,
Time,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Herro’s scorching shooting continued in the second quarter, finishing the first half with 23 points on perfect 8-of-8 shooting from the field, 3-of-3 shooting on threes and 4-of-4 shooting from the foul line.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2025
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But the people who live on its streets, like K, must contend with cold winters and scorching summers.—
Aaron Bolton,
NPR,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Tommy walks through the burning town and finds Maria, collapsing into her on Main Street, which is littered with dead, human and infected both.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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But, as ballots were being counted, government authorities announced that the electoral system had collapsed.—
Stephania Taladrid,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Former champ surges; Rose starts to wilt While all eyes are on McIlroy and DeChambeau after the third round Saturday, Zach Johnson, the 2007 Masters champion, flew up the leaderboard after posting a 66 before the two golfers even teed off.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Apr. 2025
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Add spinach and peas, cook until spinach is wilted, about 1 minute.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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As the water diluted the stains, the fabric faded to a soft pink.—
Rebecca Ruth Gould,
JSTOR Daily,
9 Apr. 2025
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Curiosity fades fast when people don’t feel safe to use it.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrivel. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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