shriveled
Wrinkled from drying
Shriveled describes something that has become wrinkled, dried out, and smaller than it once was.
Fruit left too long in the sun becomes shriveled; so does skin with age.
The word applies equally well to abstractions: shriveled hopes, a shriveled soul.
Whether describing a physical state or a diminished spirit, shriveled suggests loss—of moisture, vitality, or promise.
The spelling shrivelled is preferred in British English.
Shrunken from age
- wrinkledHaving surface folds
- creasedBearing pressed lines
- furrowedMarked with grooves
- linedMarked with parallel marks
crumpled · puckered · corrugated · crinkled · weathered · leathery · gnarled · folded
Shrunken from age
- elderlyAdvanced in age
- ancientVery old indeed
- venerableDeserving honor for dignity
- time-wornEroded by age
weathered · hoary · decrepit · senescent · gray-haired · octogenarian · superannuated · careworn
Extremely dry or thirsty
- desiccatedThoroughly dehydrated
- dehydratedSeverely lacking moisture
- witheredDried and shrunken
- wiltedLimp from dehydration
sere · scorched · sunbaked · crisped · sapless · moistureless · arid · waterless
Weak and breakable
- feebleWeak and ineffective
- wastedUsed without good result
- emaciatedAbnormally wasted from hunger
- gauntLean from deprivation
haggard · withered · debilitated · enfeebled · infirm · atrophied · diminished · sapped
Decomposed or corrupt
- witheredDried and shrunken
- blightedHarmed by destructive force
- spoiledRuined or overindulged
- moldyCovered in fungal growth
decomposed · putrid · deteriorated · necrotic · gangrenous · festering · corrupted · diseased
Reduced from original dimensions
- shrunkDecreased in size
- diminishedMade or became smaller
- reducedMade less in amount
- compressedReduced by pressure
deflated · contracted · constricted · compacted · narrowed · collapsed · sunken · drawn
wizened
Shrunken from age
lined · crumpled · puckered · corrugated · crinkled · weathered · leathery · gnarled · folded · shrunken
wizened
Shrunken from age
time-worn · weathered · hoary · decrepit · senescent · gray-haired · octogenarian · superannuated · careworn · stooped
parched
Extremely dry or thirsty
- desiccatedThoroughly dehydrated
- dehydratedSeverely lacking moisture
- witheredDried and shrunken
wilted · sere · scorched · sunbaked · crisped · sapless · moistureless · arid · waterless · evaporated
frail
Weak and breakable
gaunt · haggard · withered · debilitated · enfeebled · infirm · atrophied · diminished · sapped · depleted
rotten
Decomposed or corrupt
moldy · decomposed · putrid · deteriorated · necrotic · gangrenous · festering · corrupted · diseased · blackened
shrunken
Reduced from original dimensions
- shrunkDecreased in size
- diminishedMade or became smaller
- reducedMade less in amount
compressed · deflated · contracted · constricted · compacted · narrowed · collapsed · sunken · drawn · pinched
- aging signswrinkles, fine lines, wrinkled skin, gray hair, frown lines
- food qualitiesripe, unripe, overripe, fresh, spoiled
- skinnythin, slim, slender, lean, skinny
- grain qualityprotein content, moisture content, gluten content, hardness, dockage
- deformitiesdeformed, disfigured, misshapen, distorted, twisted
- drynessarid, aridity, dry, dehydrated, bone dry
- shrivel upContract from moisture loss
shrivel, shriveling, shrivels, shrivelled, shrivelling, shrivel up