shrivel
3 synonyms and 2 antonyms for shrivel, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To shrink and wrinkle, especially from losing moisture.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
wither
shrivel up
Antonyms
How to use shrivel
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
shrivel up
shriveled skin
Etymology
Probably of North Germanic origin, related to a Swedish dialect word for "wrinkle," and connected to the same root as shrink.
Full origin of shrivel →Frequently asked questions
What does “shrivel” mean?
The word “shrivel” means to shrink and wrinkle, especially from losing moisture. In plain terms, to dry out and shrink into a wrinkled shape.
How do you pronounce “shrivel”?
“Shrivel” is pronounced SHRIH-vuhl (/ˈʃɹɪvəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “shrivel” in a sentence?
Here is “shrivel” used in a sentence: “The grapes shriveled into raisins in the sun.”
What part of speech is “shrivel”?
“Shrivel” is a verb.
Where does the word “shrivel” come from?
The word “shrivel” comes from Germanic. Probably of North Germanic origin, related to a Swedish dialect word for "wrinkle," and connected to the same root as shrink.
