What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wizened
Example
The wizened old man sat on the park bench, watching the children play. [wizened: adjective]
Example
The apple had wizened up after being left out in the sun for too long. [wizened: verb]
shriveled
Example
The grapes had shriveled up in the heat, becoming small and wrinkled. [shriveled: verb]
Example
Her hands were shriveled and dry from years of hard work. [shriveled: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shriveled is more commonly used than wizened in everyday language, especially in informal contexts. Shriveled is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while wizened is less common and more specific to describing people.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wizened and shriveled?
Wizened is more formal and literary than shriveled, and is often used in more serious or intellectual contexts. Shriveled is more informal and conversational, and is often used in everyday speech or writing.
