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

According to the same source, the pool of competent engineers has shrunk post-COVID. — Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Over the years, Axell said those wineries have shrunk their grape orders. — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026

The Emirates bore the vast majority of Tehran’s attacks in the first weeks of the war, but since April 29 that has shrunk to 17% of Iranian strikes. — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 29 July 2026

Additionally, compared to conventional silk, the worms with altered diets produced silk that shrank less than a quarter as much as conventional silk. — Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 27 July 2026

After one treatment, Kang went to the emergency room when her colostomy stoma retracted, and a scan reportedly showed that the tumor had shrunk substantially. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026

Ashley shrunk her wardrobe, which used to fill an entire room of their home, into a much smaller RV closet. — Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 24 July 2026

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

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