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

These sprays shrink the blood vessels in your nasal passages. —Andrea Muraskin, NPR, 19 Apr. 2025

The number shrank during Italy’s postwar economic boom as residents moved to the mainland for more modern housing — including indoor plumbing, which was lacking in Venice. —Colleen Barry, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025

Noun

Federal cuts to those and other programs could push Albany to reduce its state aid to the city or shrink services that benefit city residents, such as unemployment insurance and parks. —Andrew Rein, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2025

Broward schools look to staff cuts as enrollment shrinks. —Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for shrink

• blink
• brink
• chink
• cinque
• clink
• dink
• drink
• fink
• hink
• ink
• kink
• klink

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