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

The Colorado River has shrunk rapidly over the past 25 years as water demand has boomed and climate change has delivered hotter, drier weather and dwindling snow. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Private-sector hiring in the UAE shrank in the second quarter — the first fall in more than four years, according to recruitment consultancy Cooper Fitch. — Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 22 July 2026

The group of sheriffs drastically shrunk when the Democrats were brought on stage about 30 minutes after the Republicans wrapped up. — Rachel Royster july 22, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026

The United States’ once-large domestic shipbuilding industry has shrunk dramatically over the decades—even with the Jones Act—thanks to competition from countries with lower costs and better production methods, such as China and South Korea. — James Surowiecki, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026

That decision ultimately shrank the British economy, triggered anger at the governing class, and contributed to a revolving door of prime ministers. — Lauren Frayer, NPR, 20 July 2026

For the next 19 months, her world shrank to physical therapy sessions, hospital hallways and milestones that once would have seemed unimaginable. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026

Meanwhile, development of surrounding farmland continued apace, and by 1982 the school had shrunk to just eight students. — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026

Florida’s working-age population — those between 18 and 64 — is estimated to have shrunk between 2023 and 2025, reducing the size of the state’s workforce, according to recent projections from the Florida Chamber of Commerce. — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026