shrivel

[shriv-uhl]

verb (used with or without object)

shriveled, shriveling , shrivelled, shrivelling .

1. to contract and wrinkle, as from great heat, cold, or dryness.

   Synonyms: shrink

2. to wither; make or become helpless or useless.

shrivel

/ ˈʃrɪvəl /

verb

1. to make or become shrunken and withered

2. to lose or cause to lose vitality

Other Word Forms

• unshriveled adjective
• unshrivelled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shrivel¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; akin to Swedish skroflig “uneven, rough” (perhaps originally “wrinkled, shrunken”), dialectal Swedish skryvla “to wrinkle,” Old English sceorfan “to roughen”; scurf

Word History and Origins

Origin of shrivel¹

C16: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish dialect skryvla wrinkle

Synonym Study

See wither.

Example Sentences

This party, so often and for so long the dominating force in British politics, is a shrivelled version of its usual self.

From BBC

Is queer humanity just a transitory circus in years of flourishing and a graveyard in years of shriveling?

From Salon

Badenoch said the prime minister had "shrivelled" from leadership and called on him to apologise to Epstein's victims.

From BBC

But some Labour figures wonder if as many as 80 more could choose not to officially back anyone, shrivelling the electorate.

From BBC

After a shaky first year in office, buffeted by shrivelling approval ratings, he confronts a buoyant Reform UK.

From BBC

Related Words

• dwindle 
• shrink 
• wilt 
• wither