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
Water the bare-root plant when the roots or stems appear shriveled by soaking the root ball in water for an hour.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2025
Curing or drying potatoes thickens their skins, allows minor cuts and abrasions to heal, and makes spuds less likely to rot or shrivel in storage.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2025
Businesses go broke, financial institutions fail and economic activity shrivels.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
Making the most of peak foliage New England is currently experiencing drought conditions — despite a wet spring and early summer — which is causing leaves in some places to turn brown and shrivel up.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrivel
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Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2025
Curing or drying potatoes thickens their skins, allows minor cuts and abrasions to heal, and makes spuds less likely to rot or shrivel in storage.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2025
Businesses go broke, financial institutions fail and economic activity shrivels.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
Making the most of peak foliage New England is currently experiencing drought conditions — despite a wet spring and early summer — which is causing leaves in some places to turn brown and shrivel up.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrivel
Cite this Entry
“Shrivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrivel. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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