Synonyms of shrank

shrank

verb

variants or shrunk

past tense of shrink

1

as in compressed

to become smaller in size or volume through the drawing together of particles of matter

the sweater will shrink a little when washed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compressed
• decreased
• condensed
• collapsed
• constricted
• contracted
• flattened
• withdrew
• retreated
• diminished
• dwindled
• receded
• lessened
• shriveled
• withered
• dried up
• deflated
• abated
• wilted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• swelled
• expanded
• increased
• grew
• ballooned
• accumulated
• snowballed
• inflated
• puffed (up)
• ballooned

2

as in recoiled

to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust

shrinking back from the approaching flames

Synonyms & Similar Words

• recoiled
• flinched
• winced
• cringed
• shuddered
• trembled
• hesitated
• shook
• quailed
• blenched
• paled
• quivered
• retreated
• withdrew
• squinched
• blanched
• crouched
• receded
• quaked
• whitened
• faltered
• twitched
• jerked
• reeled
• wavered
• started
• retired

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approached
• advanced
• faced
• confronted
• neared
• challenged
• defied
• bearded

3

as in decreased

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

• decreased
• fell
• diminished
• subsided
• eased
• declined
• vanished
• ebbed
• dwindled
• receded
• waned
• lessened
• lowered
• dropped (off)
• tapered
• relented
• weakened
• died (away or down or out)
• moderated
• palled
• drained (away)
• evaporated
• fell away
• tapered off
• abated
• remitted
• let up
• ratcheted (down)
• compressed
• phased down
• racheted (down)
• contracted
• de-escalated
• constricted
• slackened
• condensed
• collapsed
• alleviated
• faded (away)
• melted (away)
• slowed (down)
• sank
• relaxed
• petered (out)
• frittered (away)
• tailed (off)
• gave out
• flagged
• deflated
• caved (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• increased
• grew
• rose
• built
• expanded
• swelled
• enlarged
• mounted
• intensified
• soared
• accumulated
• escalated
• appeared
• waxed
• picked up
• emerged
• ballooned
• mushroomed
• burgeoned
• snowballed
• showed up
• lengthened
• elongated
• distended
• blew up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shrank

Sales shrank last year after a drop-off in Canadian tourists hammered business at farmers’ markets and fairs, Denniston said. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026

Studios have shrunk budgets, major production houses have cut staff, and fewer projects are reaching the finish line. — Justin Birnbaum, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026

The 2026 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report found the human element still factors into 62% of breaches, and that share hasn’t shrunk as AI tools have become more accessible to attackers. — Michael Flannery, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2026

In a small trial in non-small cell lung cancer, the drug, Revolutions Medicines’ Rasonque, shrank tumors in more than 30% of participants. — Andrew Joseph, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026

Other brands have simply shrunk their bottles, the better to transport them in your pocket, around your neck, attached to your key chain or perhaps on a chatelaine around your waist. — Chloe Schama, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026

Washington — The unemployment gap between young high school graduates and their counterparts who obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher has shrunk steadily over the past few years in a sign of structural shifts happening in the US economy. — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026

China’s factory activity shrunk for a second consecutive month, further compounding the challenges for the world’s second-biggest economy. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026

In trials, radiation either shrank tumors or stopped them from growing, in all patients evaluated. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026