Shrink vs. Shrivel — What's the Difference?

To become or appear to become smaller

To become or make shrunken and wrinkled, often by drying

To become smaller from exposure to heat, moisture, or cold

To lose or cause to lose vitality or intensity

To become reduced in amount or value; dwindle

To become or make much less or smaller; dwindle.

To move back or away, especially in fear

(intransitive) To collapse inward; to crumble.

To show reluctance; hesitate

(intransitive) To become wrinkled.

To cause to shrink

(transitive) To draw into wrinkles.

The act of shrinking.

To draw, or be drawn, into wrinkles; to shrink, and form corrugations; as, a leaf shriveles in the hot sun; the skin shrivels with age; - often with up.

The degree to which something shrinks; shrinkage.

To cause to shrivel or contract; to cause to shrink onto corruptions.

(Slang) A psychotherapist.

Wither, especially with a loss of moisture;

(transitive) To cause to become smaller.

Decrease in size, range, or extent;

(intransitive) To become smaller; to contract.

(intransitive) To cower or flinch.

(transitive) To draw back; to withdraw.

To withdraw or retire, as from danger.

(intransitive) To move back or away, especially because of fear or disgust.

Shrinkage; contraction; recoil.

A psychiatrist or psychotherapist.

Loss of inventory, for example due to shoplifting or not selling items before their expiration date.

To wrinkle, bend, or curl; to shrivel; hence, to contract into a less extent or compass; to gather together; to become compacted.

To withdraw or retire, as from danger; to decline action from fear; to recoil, as in fear, horror, or distress.

To express fear, horror, or pain by contracting the body, or part of it; to shudder; to quake.

To cause to contract or shrink; as, to shrink finnel by imersing it in boiling water.

To draw back; to withdraw.

The act shrinking; shrinkage; contraction; also, recoil; withdrawal.

A psychiatrist.

A physician who specializes in psychiatry

Wither, especially with a loss of moisture;

Draw back, as with fear or pain;

Reduce in size; reduce physically;

Become smaller or draw together;

Decrease in size, range, or extent;