shrivel

verb

shriv·​el ˈshri-vəl How to pronounce shrivel (audio)
especially Southern ˈsri-
shriveled or shrivelled; shriveling or shrivelling ˈshri-vəl-iŋ How to pronounce shrivel (audio)
ˈsri-;
ˈshriv-liŋ, 
ˈsriv-
Synonyms of shrivelnext

intransitive verb

1
: to draw into wrinkles especially with a loss of moisture
2
a
: to become reduced to inanition, helplessness, or inefficiency
b
: dwindle

transitive verb

: to cause to shrivel

Examples of shrivel in a Sentence

plants shriveling in the heat
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Wild pheasants use it all, and after late November they’ll be concentrated in the heavy cover because crop fields are gleaned and frost will have shriveled a lot of vegetation. — Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026 Cucumbers turn bitter, tomato flowers shrivel, leaves wilt, and pests such as whiteflies and spider mites run rampant across the fields. — Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Aug. 2026 Nidhi imagined the baby crawling around in her mother’s body, desperately seeking the uterus, and, failing to find it in its proper place, quietly shrivelling up and dying. — Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026 Ideal Humidity Your root cellar should have a humidity level between 85 and 95 percent, says Neverman—this will prevent vegetables from shriveling and losing moisture. — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shrivel

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shrivel was in 1565

Rhymes for shrivel

See All Rhymes for shrivel

Browse Nearby Words

shrive
shrivel
shroff
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shrivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrivel. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

shrivel

verb
shriv·​el ˈshriv-əl How to pronounce shrivel (audio)
shriveled or shrivelled; shriveling or shrivelling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce shrivel (audio)
: to shrink and become dry and wrinkled

More from Merriam-Webster on shrivel

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for shrivel

Nglish: Translation of shrivel for Spanish Speakers

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