How to Use shrivel in a Sentence

shrivel

verb
  • Avoid stems that have dark shriveled buds, a sign the plant has been stressed.
    — Marni Jameson, OrlandoSentinel.com, 11 Apr. 2018
  • The moss should shrivel and dry up very quickly.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 June 2026
  • The good news is that the friendship doesn’t have to shrivel up and die.
    — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The skin split, the ends were shriveled, and the texture was limp.
    — Dianna Douglas, NPR, 28 June 2026
  • Her hair is messy on the pillow; her waffle is shriveled and burnt.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 18 July 2023
  • Her makeup had lots of wrinkles, and her body was shriveled up in her post.
    — Stephanie Giang-Paunon, Fox News, 31 Oct. 2024
  • In other cases, bulbs could dry and shrivel up.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 4 Jan. 2026
  • Both sources of revenue have shriveled and the city now faces a hefty budget deficit.
    — Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2024
  • The flag of Alaska that was flown to the moon and back had been shriveled up.
    — David Reamer | Alaska History, Anchorage Daily News, 23 Apr. 2023
  • Avoid choosing potatoes that have green spots or are soft, moldy, or shriveled.
    — Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Nov. 2022
  • The leaves all browned and dropped off and the tips of branches have blackened and shriveled.
    — oregonlive, 25 Feb. 2023
  • Next, look for any dead tissue, which may appear brown, dry, or shriveled.
    — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 24 May 2026
  • Meanwhile, gourds are ready to be picked once their vines have become dry and shriveled up.
    — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2023
  • Too much or too little stresses the plant and can cause the blossoms to shrivel.
    — oregonlive, 5 Aug. 2023
  • If any of your answers to these questions is no, your markets may shrivel.
    — Fortune, 29 July 2019
  • The bulbs tend to shrivel after sprouting, and are milder and less garlicky.
    — Christopher Michel, Country Living, 12 Aug. 2023
  • When the leaves start to shrivel, plant the bulbs in a sunny garden spot and then forget them.
    — Jeanette Marantos, latimes.com, 30 Mar. 2018
  • Looking for a loafer that won’t shrivel or stain in a rainstorm or while walking on the beach?
    — Kaitlyn McInnis, Travel + Leisure, 23 Jan. 2023
  • Black, oily from salve to prevent infection, and shriveled to half their size.
    — Jodie Briggs, Longreads, 27 Mar. 2018
  • Leaves and buds that are bitten by frost will blacken and shrivel, sometimes all over the plant.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 July 2025
  • Healthy-looking buds shrivel, turn brown at the base, and fall off before opening.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Leopold never returned to the delta and didn’t live to see his beloved green lagoons shrivel to dust.
    — Ian James, AZCentral.com, 19 Apr. 2020
  • Leaves and buds that are bitten by frost will blacken and shrivel, sometimes all over the plant.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 June 2026
  • Small brown patches won’t affect the flavor, but steer clear of fruit with dry or shriveled skin.
    — Earl Nickel, San Francisco Chronicle, 25 Apr. 2018
  • Choose red potatoes that are firm and smooth; avoid ones that are shriveled or have gashes and bruises.
    — Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 12 Nov. 2023
  • Those who have already made a claim for cash will have a chance to change their mind now that the reward amount has shriveled.
    — David Z. Morris, Fortune, 31 July 2019
  • The Great Salt Lake has been shriveling up for decades.
    — Evan Bush, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026
  • One of those would make a great meal and the other would shrivel unpleasantly on a grill.
    — Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 28 June 2018
  • Outside, the front yard continued to shrivel and die.
    — Maggie Slepian, Longreads, 14 May 2026
  • Pumpkins are ready to pick when the fruit is fully colored and the stems begin to shrivel.
    — Arricca Sansone, Country Living, 29 June 2017

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shrivel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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