Shrivel

To shrivel means to contract, wrinkle, and become smaller or dry, often due to a loss of moisture or vitality. This process can apply to various things, including plants, fruits, skin, and even emotional states. The change implies a degradation or decline, often resulting in a less desirable appearance or condition. It suggests a loss of something essential, leading to a diminished size or quality. The process can be natural or accelerated by external factors such as heat, age, or neglect.

Shrivel meaning with examples

• The summer heat caused the leaves on the neglected plant to shrivel, turning them brown and brittle. Despite frequent watering, the plant's vibrant green had faded as the leaves contracted and the stems turned to dust. This was a visible indicator of the scorching summer weather, highlighting the plant's lack of sufficient care.
• After being left out in the sun, the apple began to shrivel, losing its firmness and becoming dry. The once-smooth skin wrinkled, displaying signs of dehydration, and the delicious aroma that was present earlier was gone, instead the apple was looking less appealing. Its plumpness dwindled significantly, changing both its texture and appearance.
• The old woman's skin began to shrivel with age, revealing the passage of time. Fine lines deepened into wrinkles as her face slowly and steadily lost elasticity, making her hands look thin and frail, and she slowly but inevitably, appeared much older, with a dry, aged skin on most of her face and hands.
• His hopes began to shrivel as the job interview continued and he felt like the hiring manager was not interested in his qualifications. The initial optimism faded, replaced by growing disappointment that became heavier as the process continued. The realization that he wasn't what they were looking for crushed the ambitions he held previously.