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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If your dishwasher drains directly outside of the home, consider re-routing it to the sink.—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
22 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 24 May. 2026.
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