shrivel Definition
- 1wrinkle and contract or cause to wrinkle and contract, especially due to loss of moisture.
- 2become weaker or smaller over time.
Using shrivel: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "shrivel" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The leaves shriveled in the hot sun.
Example
The grapes had shriveled on the vine.
Example
His skin shriveled with age.
Example
Her hopes for the future shriveled away.
shrivel Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with shrivel
shrivel up
to become smaller and wrinkled through the loss of moisture
Example
The apple had shriveled up and was no longer edible.
Example
The company's profits began to shrivel away as competition increased.
shrivel someone's hopes
to cause someone's hopes or dreams to fade away
Example
The rejection letter shriveled his hopes of getting into his dream school.
Summary: shrivel in Brief
The verb 'shrivel' [ˈʃrɪvəl] means to wrinkle and contract, often due to a loss of moisture, or to become weaker or smaller over time. Examples include 'The leaves shriveled in the hot sun.' and 'Her hopes for the future shriveled away.' 'Shrivel' can be used in phrases like 'shrivel up,' meaning to become smaller and wrinkled through the loss of moisture, and 'shrivel someone's hopes,' meaning to cause someone's hopes or dreams to fade away.