shrink

1 of 2

verb

ˈshriŋk 

 especially Southern  ˈsriŋk

shrank ˈshraŋk 

ˈsraŋk

or shrunk ˈshrəŋk 

ˈsrəŋk

; shrunk or shrunken ˈshrəŋ-kən 

ˈsrəŋ-

; shrinking

intransitive verb

1

: to contract or curl up the body or part of it : huddle, cower

2

a

: to contract to less extent or compass

b

: to become smaller or more compacted

c

: to lose substance or weight

d

: to lessen in value : dwindle

3

a

: to recoil instinctively (as from something painful or horrible)

shrank from the challenge

b

: to hold oneself back : refrain

did not shrink from telling the truth

transitive verb

: to cause to contract or shrink

specifically : to compact (cloth) by causing to contract when subjected to washing, boiling, steaming, or other processes

shrinkable

ˈshriŋ-kə-bəl 

ˈsriŋ-

adjective

shrinker noun

shrink

2 of 2

noun

1

: the act of shrinking

2

: shrinkage

3

[short for headshrinker] : a clinical psychiatrist or psychologist

Synonyms

Verb

• compress
• condense
• constrict
• contract

Choose the Right Synonym for shrink

contract, shrink, condense, compress, constrict, deflate mean to decrease in bulk or volume.

contract applies to a drawing together of surfaces or particles or a reduction of area or length.

caused her muscles to contract

shrink implies a contracting or a loss of material and stresses a falling short of original dimensions.

the sweater will shrink when washed

condense implies a reducing of something homogeneous to greater compactness without significant loss of content.

condense the essay into a paragraph

compress implies a pressing into a small compass and definite shape usually against resistance.

compressed cotton into bales

constrict implies a tightening that reduces diameter.

the throat is constricted by a tight collar

deflate implies a contracting by reducing the internal pressure of contained air or gas.

deflate the balloon

recoil, shrink, flinch, wince, blench, quail mean to draw back in fear or distaste.

recoil implies a start or movement away through shock, fear, or disgust.

recoiled at the suggestion of stealing

shrink suggests an instinctive recoil through sensitiveness, scrupulousness, or cowardice.

shrank from the unpleasant truth

flinch implies a failure to endure pain or face something dangerous or frightening with resolution.

faced her accusers without flinching

wince suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction (such as a start or recoiling).

winced in pain

blench implies fainthearted flinching.

stood their ground without blenching

quail suggests shrinking and cowering in fear.

quailed before the apparition

Examples of shrink in a Sentence

Verb

The sweater shrank when it was washed.

Meat shrinks as it cooks.

The town's population shrank during the war.

Hot water shrank the sweater.

The treatment should shrink the tumor.

He shrank in horror when he saw the dead cat.

Noun

He is seeing a shrink.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Gloria would save another $4 million by shrinking the number of recruits for each of four annual police academies from 43 to 30. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024

Note that some shoppers said these shrink in the wash, so be sure to buy a size up or hand wash. —Kristine Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2024

Cochran responded to the prosecutor's claims by stating that their theory about blood causing the gloves to shrink was a response to their inability to prove the gloves fit Simpson's hand under regular circumstances. —Chris Barilla, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024

Among the most pressing challenges facing Choi is the LAPD’s shrinking size. —Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024

Employers are now paying higher payroll taxes to shrink the debt. —Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024

This comes as three of the 11 groups — communication services, technology and utilities — are expected to post profit expansions of more than 20%, while energy, materials and health-care companies will likely see profits shrink. —Jess Menton, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2024

Where the Bad News Is the Good News: Despite a recession, a shrinking population and politics tainted by corruption, Japan remains remarkably stable and cohesive, with little sense of impending doom or signs of societal discord. —Motoko Rich, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024

Like many retailers emerging out of the pandemic, the West Coast chain has struggled with rising costs and shrink — which is higher merchandise losses from customer errors, damage, internal losses and shoplifting. —Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024

Noun

Then all bottles are made from recycled glass, the sealing ring from recyclable material and the shrink sleeve is biodegradable. —Christopher Marquis, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024

These berries become more visible as the spathe withers and shrinks, adding a late dash of color to the shade garden. —Nadia Hassani, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2024

Dollar General has extra reason to protect profit margins after suffering from inventory shrink in 2023. —Bysasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 12 Feb. 2024

The disparity is more likely to grow than shrink if the fiscal crisis in Tucson forces Robbins and his next athletic director to make cuts that won’t exist for Crow and his hire — assuming, of course, that Robbins and Crow are still on the job in the second half of the decade. —Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2024

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, coming off perhaps his finest season – including second-team All-Pro recognition and a league-best 36 TD passes – saw his playoff record shrink to 2-5. —Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2024

That’s where the astronaut’s alien surrogate shrink comes in. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2024

The retailer recorded a 30 percent decline in gross profit margin last quarter, largely because of shrink. —Jaclyn Peiser, Washington Post, 3 Oct. 2023

Designed to increase convenience and ease labor costs, self-checkout kiosks have cost retailers in shrink, or inventory lost due to poor record-keeping or theft. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English scrincan; akin to Middle Dutch schrinken to draw back

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing shrink

• shrink from
• shrink-wrap

Kids Definition

shrink

1 of 2 verb

ˈshriŋk 

shrank ˈshraŋk  or shrunk ˈshrəŋk  ; shrunk or shrunken ˈshrəŋ-kən  ; shrinking

1

: to curl up or withdraw in or as if in fear or pain

shrink in horror

2

: to make or become smaller

shrink cloth by washing

meat shrinks in cooking

shrinker noun

shrink

2 of 2 noun

slang

: psychiatrist

Medical Definition

shrink

noun

ˈshriŋk 

: a clinical psychiatrist or psychologist

called also headshrinker