variants
or shrunk
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in recoiled
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust
shrinking back from the approaching flames
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shrank
With the use of these unique materials where ions move freely even under electrical load, the team shrunk these thermometers to a mere square micrometer — thousands of times thinner than a human hair.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Mar. 2026
That shrunk the territory Democrats could win, and put some of their incumbents on new red turf.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 4 Mar. 2026
The pile has definitely shrunk since last week, but there's plenty more to go.
—Joe Brandt, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Its reservoirs have declined dramatically over the last 25 years as drought compounded by climate change has shrunk the river flow.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Even more concerning was that the reservoir continually shrunk in its scale as owners of the land refused to sell, forcing engineers to work with a smaller footprint and alarming scientists.
—Michael Adno, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026
The Carmel Valley Farmers Market was still fairly new and had shrunk in size over the last several months due to the ownership transition.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
History even shows that the most disruptive technologies have not shrunk the economy, analysts say.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
The company’s overall workforce has shrunk by 25,000 employees since 2023.
—Staff, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Mar. 2026
That shrunk the territory Democrats could win, and put some of their incumbents on new red turf.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 4 Mar. 2026
The pile has definitely shrunk since last week, but there's plenty more to go.
—Joe Brandt, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Its reservoirs have declined dramatically over the last 25 years as drought compounded by climate change has shrunk the river flow.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Even more concerning was that the reservoir continually shrunk in its scale as owners of the land refused to sell, forcing engineers to work with a smaller footprint and alarming scientists.
—Michael Adno, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026
The Carmel Valley Farmers Market was still fairly new and had shrunk in size over the last several months due to the ownership transition.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
History even shows that the most disruptive technologies have not shrunk the economy, analysts say.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
The company’s overall workforce has shrunk by 25,000 employees since 2023.
—Staff, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrank
Verb
-
This enables compressed heat to be stored and reused throughout the process without fossil fuel combustion, delivering significant low‑carbon benefits, according to a press release.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Inevitably, however, the result feels like the character evolutions, machinations, and plot pivots of an entire series of the show compressed desperately into 112 minutes.—
Miriam Balanescu,
IndieWire,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After decades of being kissed up to by massive government support, our fossil fuel industries recoiled against President Joe Biden’s support to grow our clean energy sector.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Brendan Mcdermid | Reuters Software stocks on Thursday slid deeper into an ongoing intense sell-off this year as investors recoiled from the sector on growing fears that artificial intelligence could upend many firms' business models.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Drone strikes have decreased by 83%.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Though on Saturday, MDFR said smoke in the area had greatly decreased compared to Thursday and Friday.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Our interview has been edited and condensed.—
Ian Crouch,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Everyone in the barber shop flinched at the sound and tensed their shoulders.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The United Arab Emirates said Dubai’s main airport had been affected, and tourists and others flinched at the booms of interceptors.—
Cara Anna,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Apartment buildings were felled by air strikes, and smoke billowed from the blasts; the buzz of Israeli drones filled the air.—
Rania Abouzeid,
New Yorker,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Too many people, particularly those in my age group, have been felled by a cold that morphed into pneumonia, or a UTI that landed them in the hospital, or a simple stumble on a floor mat that resulted in surgery and months of physical therapy.—
Donna Vickroy,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In October, the company’s stock collapsed to less than $1 per share after a debt deal, down from its peak of nearly $235 per share in 2019.—
Iris Kwok,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
When the old order collapsed, Iran’s networks were ready.—
Farah N. Jan,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Forrest pushed it and winced as tear gas sprayed.—
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The issue became apparent at 4-4 in the third set, when Alcaraz winced after stretching for a volley and a match that had appeared a foregone conclusion spun on its axis.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shrank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrank. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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