shrink

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verb

Definition of SHRINK

1

to become smaller in size or volume through the drawing together of particles of matter <the sweater will shrink a little when washed>

Synonyms compress, condense, constrict, shrink

Related Words collapse, deflate, flatten; dry up, shrivel, wilt, wither; abate, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen; recede, retreat, withdraw

Near Antonyms accumulate, grow, increase; balloon, inflate, puff (up)

Antonyms balloon, expand, snowball, swell

2

to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust <shrinking back from the approaching flames>

Synonyms blench, cringe, quail, recoil, shrink, squinch, wince

Related Words blanch, pale, whiten; quake, quiver, shake, shudder, tremble; crouch; jerk, start, twitch; recede, retire, retreat, withdraw; falter, hesitate, reel, waver

Near Antonyms advance, approach, near; beard, challenge, confront, defy, face

3

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 abate, decline, de-escalate, die (away or down or out), diminish, drain (away), drop (off), dwindle, ease, ebb, fall, fall away, lessen, let up, lower, moderate, pall, phase down, ratchet (down) also rachet (down), recede, relent, remit, shrink, subside, taper, taper off, wane

Related Words compress, condense, constrict, contract; evaporate, fade (away), fritter (away), give out, melt (away), peter (out), tail (off), vanish; slacken, slow (down); alleviate, relax; flag, sink, weaken; cave (in), collapse, deflate

Near Antonyms appear, emerge, show up; blow up, distend, elongate, lengthen

Antonyms accumulate, balloon, build, burgeon (also bourgeon), enlarge, escalate, expand, grow, increase, intensify, mount, mushroom, pick up, rise, snowball, soar, swell, wax