shriveled or shrivelled; shriveling or shrivelling
ˈshri-vəl-iŋ 
ˈsri-;
ˈshriv-liŋ,
ˈsriv-
1
: to draw into wrinkles especially with a loss of moisture
2
a
: to become reduced to inanition, helplessness, or inefficiency
b
: dwindle
: to cause to shrivel
Examples of shrivel in a Sentence
plants shriveling in the heat
Recent Examples on the Web
That is not to say that Slidell, though, shriveled up and died, the way Isle de Jean Charles was dying.
—
Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 11 Apr. 2024
Leaves gradually become dry and start falling off from the top until finally, whole branches shrivel and die.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 28 Jan. 2024
In the last three years, the drought, the second worst on record, has shriveled wheat crops and led to tensions between neighboring countries and communities over access to dwindling water supplies.
—Manuela Andreoni, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2023
Now, as spring progresses and temperatures warm, Arctic sea ice will shrivel.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 31 Mar. 2024
Our tester noted some browning and shriveling, but was pleasantly surprised by what a difference a few hours in water made.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2024
Meanwhile, surrounding communities have watched their lands shrivel.
—Megan Janetsky, Victor R. Caivano and Rodrigo Abd, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024
His flesh has shrunk and shriveled, life reduced to little more than a thin mask over an imminent death.
—Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024
As the season wears on, these seeds begin to shrivel, turning to a pale army green color.
—Carly Westerfield, Bon Appétit, 9 Mar. 2024
Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 11 Apr. 2024
Leaves gradually become dry and start falling off from the top until finally, whole branches shrivel and die.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 28 Jan. 2024
In the last three years, the drought, the second worst on record, has shriveled wheat crops and led to tensions between neighboring countries and communities over access to dwindling water supplies.
—Manuela Andreoni, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2023
Now, as spring progresses and temperatures warm, Arctic sea ice will shrivel.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 31 Mar. 2024
Our tester noted some browning and shriveling, but was pleasantly surprised by what a difference a few hours in water made.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2024
Meanwhile, surrounding communities have watched their lands shrivel.
—Megan Janetsky, Victor R. Caivano and Rodrigo Abd, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024
His flesh has shrunk and shriveled, life reduced to little more than a thin mask over an imminent death.
—Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024
As the season wears on, these seeds begin to shrivel, turning to a pale army green color.
—Carly Westerfield, Bon Appétit, 9 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shrivel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near shrivel
Cite this Entry
“Shrivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrivel. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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