Meaning
- Shrivel means to become smaller, drier, and wrinkled, often because of lack of moisture, heat, or age. It can also be used figuratively to describe a person or feeling becoming weaker or diminished.
Grammar and Usage
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Part of speech: Verb
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Verb forms: shrivel – shriveled/shrivelled – shriveled/shrivelled
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Transitivity: Both transitive and intransitive
- Intransitive: “The leaves shriveled in the sun.”
- Transitive: “The heat shriveled the fruit.”
Common Phrases
- shrivel up – to become wrinkled, dried, or diminished.
- shrivel with fear/embarrassment – to feel extremely uncomfortable or reduced in spirit.
Collocations
- shrivel up like a prune
- shrivel with fear
- cause to shrivel
- leaves shrivel
- skin shrivels
Examples
- The flowers shriveled in the hot sun without water.
- His confidence shriveled after the harsh criticism.
- The grapes shriveled into raisins over time.
- She felt like shriveling up when everyone laughed at her mistake.
- The old man’s skin was thin and shriveled with age.
- The intense heat shriveled the paper instantly.
- Without proper care, the plant shriveled and died.
- His courage shriveled when he faced the angry crowd.
Synonyms or Related
- wither
- wilt
- dry up
- contract
- dwindle
Antonym
- flourish
- expand
- swell
- thrive
