shrink

verb

ˈshriŋk How to pronounce shrink (audio)
Definition of shrinknext
1
as in to compress
to become smaller in size or volume through the drawing together of particles of matter the sweater will shrink a little when washed

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2
as in to flinch
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust shrinking back from the approaching flames

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to decrease
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually his crush on her is likely to shrink after they start their new lives on different college campuses

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word shrink different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of shrink are compress, condense, constrict, contract, and deflate. While all these words mean "to decrease in bulk or volume," shrink implies a contracting or a loss of material and stresses a falling short of original dimensions.

the sweater will shrink when washed

When would compress be a good substitute for shrink?

The meanings of compress and shrink largely overlap; however, compress implies a pressing into a small compass and definite shape usually against resistance.

compressed cotton into bales

When might condense be a better fit than shrink?

The synonyms condense and shrink are sometimes interchangeable, but condense implies a reducing of something homogeneous to greater compactness without significant loss of content.

condense the essay into a paragraph

When could constrict be used to replace shrink?

Although the words constrict and shrink have much in common, constrict implies a tightening that reduces diameter.

the throat is constricted by a tight collar

When can contract be used instead of shrink?

The words contract and shrink can be used in similar contexts, but contract applies to a drawing together of surfaces or particles or a reduction of area or length.

caused her muscles to contract

In what contexts can deflate take the place of shrink?

While the synonyms deflate and shrink are close in meaning, deflate implies a contracting by reducing the internal pressure of contained air or gas.

deflate the balloon

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shrink Marine iguanas, for example, reabsorb some of their bone material to shrink when their watery habitat gets warmer, while young salmon have been known to shrink at winter's onset. —Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 21 May 2025 Yet cuts to the program proposed by the House — which would shrink the program’s funding by about $300 billion through 2034 — would put those benefits at risk. —Lorie Konish, CNBC, 21 May 2025 Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news Listen to this Article A human can’t shrink away from the threats of climate change. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 21 May 2025 Though East Contra Costa has been the hub of refinery activities in Northern California, the number of jobs in the remaining refineries was limited, and had been shrinking in the past decade. —Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for shrink
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrink
  1. compress
  2. flinch
  3. decrease
  4. condense
  5. wince
  6. diminish
  7. constrict
  8. recoil
Verb
  • Eventually, they were so thoroughly compressed that nuclear fusion got going—and boom, the very first stars lit up the universe.
    — Robin George Andrews, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 May 2025
  • Costello neatly compressed the clichés of political pop.
    — Armond White, National Review, 28 May 2025
Definition of compress
Verb
  • When Afrikaner apartheid was instituted in 1948, Washington didn’t flinch.
    — Time, Time, 22 May 2025
  • The game was scoreless until Amarillo scored twice in the top of the seventh, but Aledo didn’t flinch.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2025
Definition of flinch
Verb
  • These students, many already at an educational disadvantage, are left with instability, fewer learning opportunities and decreased academic performance.
    — Lakeisha Wells Palmer, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
  • As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
    — KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2025
Definition of decrease
Verb
  • This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
    — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 24 May 2025
  • This interview was condensed for length and clarity by Ashoka.
    — Ashoka, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Definition of condense
Verb
  • Goertzel winced, because the question is challenging.
    — Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
  • Not just my face but also the faces of all middle-aged women who foolishly smiled, laughed, winced, frowned or squinted between birth and the year 2025.
    — Gwen Rockwood, Arkansas Online, 22 May 2025
Definition of wince
Verb
  • Augmenting Human Relationships with AI AI's role in enhancing efficiency does not diminish the need for human expertise in B2B interactions.
    — John Bruno, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • The 25-year-old’s sample might be small, but in an era of diminishing workloads, Zack Wheeler and Max Fried are the only current starters averaging 6 1/3 innings.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Definition of diminish
Verb
  • In cold weather, lips can appear blue because capillaries constrict, blood loses oxygen and changes to a darker color.
    — Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The researchers thought of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, which causes blood vessels to constrict.
    — Veronique Greenwood, Quanta Magazine, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of constrict
Verb
  • Advertisement Advertisement Macron briefly recoils, turns his head, and then smiles and waves at the press.
    — Solcyré Burga, Time, 26 May 2025
  • There’s no doubt that Trump and congressional Republicans recoil at the left-wing slant of PBS and NPR.
    — Editorial, Boston Herald, 24 May 2025
Definition of recoil

Browse Nearby Words

shrines
shrink
shrinkage
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Cite this Entry

“Shrink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrink. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

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