In many regions, climate change is prolonging dry periods in rivers and wetlands, exposing freshwater invertebrates to increased periods of desiccation. Invertebrates show a range of strategies for surviving desiccation, but the effects of the degree of exposure to desiccation on the expression of particular traits is unknown. We synthesized existing information on the desiccation-responses of freshwater invertebrates to examine the flexibility of these survival strategies and the relationship between strategies and the degree of desiccation to which individuals are exposed. We focused on desiccation at the small spatial scales experienced by individuals and clarified the terminology used to describe resting stages present during dry periods. We present a key to terminology used for different forms of dormancy to support the use of appropriate terms. All invertebrate taxa showed a range of strategies for surviving desiccation. Sometimes, different traits were expressed among different populations of a species however it is unclear how many species show multiple desiccation-response strategies. Many crustacean taxa showed physiological dormancy responses to desiccation that enabled survival for long periods (years). Insects often rely on emigration from drying waterbodies as flying adults, or on larvae occupying damp refuges on the benthos. Altered water regimes may alter the phenology of desiccation responses,. However, there is limited empirical evidence demonstrating the flexibility of, or limitations to, expression of these survival strategies and their potential fitness costs, limiting our ability to predict the effects of prolonged drying on invertebrate biodiversity.