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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 When glaciers shrink, volcanoes stir, and that may be just the beginning of a dangerous cycle. —Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 11 July 2025 Trump’s shift in focus underscores how tragedy can complicate political calculations, even though Trump has made slashing the federal workforce and dramatically shrinking the size of government centerpieces of his administration’s opening months. —Sean Murphy, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025 Holler and Glow just shrunk a comfort meal into a bite-sized lip product duo. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 July 2025 Amazon and other tech companies have also been shrinking their workforces through rolling layoffs over the past several years. —Annie Palmer, CNBC, 1 July 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
  • In theory, this could help spotlight Alto Adige’s remarkable vineyard diversity - granite slopes, volcanic porphyry, glacial moraines - all compressed into just under 6,000 hectares of fragmented vineyards, layered across extreme altitudes.
    — Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
  • Burnout is a potential trade-off If your workload is heavy, compressing it into fewer days can backfire.
    — Julia Sullivan, USA Today, 27 June 2025
Definition of compress
Verb
  • When the conversation turned to the metaphorical messes — like heartbreak — the 54-year-old didn’t flinch.
    — Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 3 July 2025
  • Judge Subramanian didn’t flinch, siding with the government.
    — Danielle Bacher, People.com, 3 July 2025
Definition of flinch
Verb
  • Following Monday's trade, Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust will own 220 shares of GS, decreasing its weighting to about 4.35% from about 4.75%.
    — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 7 July 2025
  • Revenue has remained relatively stagnant, decreasing slightly from $153 million to $152 million over the past year.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Definition of decrease
Verb
  • The conversation has been slightly edited and condensed for clarity.
    — Emma Sandler, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • Questions and answers have been lightly edited and condensed.
    — Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
Definition of condense
Verb
  • As the prosecutor described the fatal injuries her daughter faced, Scarbrough bowed her head and winced.
    — David Clarey, jsonline.com, 3 July 2025
  • Dakota Johnson is more charming than usual here but moves like someone whose feet have never touched the ground, who has never winced looking at a bill.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 25 June 2025
Definition of wince
Verb
  • The best wrinkle creams on Amazon prove that drugstore prices don't diminish efficacy.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 8 July 2025
  • Eggs may not be quite so extreme, since the bird flu problem is expected to diminish.
    — Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 7 July 2025
Definition of diminish
Verb
  • But today, that small-business lifeblood is being squeezed by a stealth python that is constricting entrepreneurship.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 July 2025
  • Israel and Iran are continuing to attack each other, and fear remains that a wider war could constrict the flow of Iran’s oil to its customers.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025
Definition of constrict
Verb
  • Because as our founders knew so well, human nature recoils all too often at the inconveniences and frustrations of self-government.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
  • Here was a man whose music pleaded for recognition but whose body recoiled from it.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 5 July 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 21 Jul. 2025.

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