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Definition of shrink
shrank
play \ˈshraŋk, ˈsraŋk\ orshrunk
play \ˈshrəŋk, ˈsrəŋk\;shrunk
orshrunken
play \ˈshrəŋ-kən, ˈsrəŋ-\;shrinking
intransitive verb
1 : to contract or curl up the body or part of it : huddle, cower
2a : to contract to less extent or compassb : to become smaller or more compactedc : to lose substance or weightd : to lessen in value : dwindle
3a : to recoil instinctively (as from something painful or horrible) shrank from the challengeb : 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
shrinker
nounRead the Latest from M-W
Examples of shrink in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples of shrink from the Web
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Shrinking the balance sheet is another way of tightening.
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The Incredible Shrinking State Although Connecticut is one of the most reliably blue states in the country, liberals regard it as a microcosm of the national scourge of inequality.
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Steep fines shrunk by hundreds of dollars, on the promise the veteran would attend a training program or seek other help.
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One of the earlier city plans shrunk the course into a golf practice area.
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City Manager Jimmy Morales pleaded with OutGames CEO Ivan Cano and chief operating officer Keith Hart to scale back activities to fit a shrinking budget.
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The amygdala and hippocampus, two clumps of gray matter that help govern our moods and emotions, shrink as well.
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In the era of ever-shrinking seat space to squeeze more passengers on to planes to net greater profits, American's about-face represents surprisingly good news.
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The island, which locals claim English explorer John Smith landed on in 1608, is shrinking into the bay.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shrink'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of shrink
Middle English, from Old English scrincan; akin to Middle Dutch schrinken to draw back
Synonym Discussion of shrink
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
shrink
Definition of shrink
Examples of shrink in a Sentence
He is seeing a shrink.
Recent Examples of shrink from the Web
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Biggest worry: The dwindling supply of teachers, as enrollment in colleges of education shrinks.
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That year also would see Elgin begin applying original artwork to utility boxes, using graffiti-proof shrink wrap, Harris said.
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The labor force shrinks when people retire, leave work to take care of family or pursue education, or give up the job hunt.
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As the city’s population grows, the number of apartments available shrinks, particularly the cheaper ones.
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As income from assets in the collateral pool shrinks, managers have rushed to cut funding costs by refinancing about 10.7 billion euros on 30 CLOs so far this year, compared with 13 last year.
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The Therapist Comforts the Troubled Musician—Spencer Kornhaber discusses Viceland’s new show pairing rappers and rockers with a shrink.
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From 2008 to 2012, the amount of blue in most states shrinks — thanks to Barack Obama’s narrower victory.
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As people age, the vitreous slowly shrinks and pulls away from the retinal surface, sometimes tearing it.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shrink'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of shrink
1590
SHRINK Defined for English Language Learners
shrink
playDefinition of shrink for English Language Learners
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: to become smaller in amount, size, or value
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: to make (something) smaller in amount, size, or value
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: to quickly move away from something shocking, frightening, or disgusting
shrink
Definition of shrink for English Language Learners
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: a psychiatrist or psychologist
SHRINK Defined for Kids
shrink
playDefinition of shrink for Students
shrank
\ˈshraŋk\ orshrunk
\ˈshrəŋk\;shrunk
orshrunken
\ˈshrəŋ-kən\;shrinking
1 : to make or become smaller The sweater shrank when it got wet.
2 : to curl up or move back in or as if in fear or pain Just the thought of all this made Tom shrink back uncomfortably in his chair. — Andrew Clements, Frindle
3 : to refrain from doing something especially because of difficulty or unpleasantness He did not shrink from telling the truth.
Medical Dictionary
shrink
playMedical Definition of shrink
: a clinical psychiatrist or psychologist—called also headshrinker
Learn More about shrink
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See words that rhyme with shrink Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for shrink Spanish Central: Translation of shrink Nglish: Translation of shrink for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of shrink for Arabic speakers
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