shrivel

Dry and contract

To shrivel is to contract and wrinkle, typically from loss of moisture or vitality.

Grapes shrivel into raisins.

Skin shrivels with age.

The verb extends to anything that diminishes or withers: Her confidence shriveled under his criticism.

Plants shrivel in drought, hopes shrivel under disappointment.

The past forms are shriveled (American) or shrivelled (British).

wither

wilt

Lose vigor, sag

droopHang down limply
fadeLose intensity gradually
languishWeaken through suffering

flag · sag · waste · decay · brown · curl · crinkle · die-back · blight · desiccate

dehydrate

desiccate

Remove all moisture

parchDry out thoroughly
dryFree from moisture
wizenShrivel from drying

sere · raisin · prune · jerky · desiccation · sun-dried · crisp · leathery · papery · mummify

decay

rot

Organic breakdown process

decomposeBreak into simpler parts
molderGradually disintegrate from neglect
putrefyDecompose with stench

spoil · disintegrate · fester · deteriorate · breakdown · necrosis · gangrene · blight · perish · corrode

contract

pucker

Draw into wrinkles

wrinkleSurface fold or crease
crinkleSmall fold or rustle
furrowNarrow trench in earth

shrink · tighten · constrict · compress · crumple · gather · crimp · cockle · corrugate · fold

aging

wrinkle

Surface fold or crease

wizenedShrunken from age
saggingBending downward weakly
croneWizened old woman

haggard · withered · shrunken · gaunt · senescence · desiccated · papery · lined · furrowed · creased

Categories

decliningdeclining, waning, fading, diminishing, decreasing
dry outdry, dry out, dehydrate, desiccate, parch
wilting signsdroop, sag, flagging, limpness, flaccid
drynessarid, aridity, dry, dehydrated, bone dry
go badrot, spoil, decay, mold, sour
fruit flawsbruise, bruising, rot, brown rot, black rot

Opposites

size and volume

shrivelexpand

Increase in size

swell · enlarge · grow · inflate · bloat

moisture and turgidity

shrivelplump

Agreeably fat, well-filled

hydrate · turgid · plump up · rehydrate · moisten

growth and vitality

shrivelflourish

To grow vigorously

thrive · bloom · blossom · develop · burgeon

Phrases

shrivel upContract from moisture loss

Family

shriveled, shriveling, shrivels, shrivelled, shrivelling, shrivel up

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Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G