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 Bulls lag significantly behind their peers in the investment toward an analytics department, which shrank to one of the smallest in the league during the final year of Karnišovas’ reign. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026

Though the film funds have now finally started to flow again, the pot has been shrunk by the government from a total €700 million ($822 million) in 2025 to €610 million ($716 million) in 2026, and €500 ($585 million) earmarked for 2027. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 6 May 2026

The Idaho presence for the chain, founded in California, has shrunk to a single location. —Michael Deeds updated May 6, Idaho Statesman, 6 May 2026

The takeover bid follows the surprising ascent of GameStop, a chain of video game outlets that shrank its brick-and-mortar footprint after gamers increasingly bought software in digital stores. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 May 2026

Real incomes shrunk for almost eight years under Obama. —CBS News, 4 May 2026

The high-leverage group has shrunk as of late, with the Mets putting two starters in the bullpen. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 3 May 2026

The list has grown, not shrunk. —Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 2 May 2026

The river flow has shrunk dramatically since 2000, and research has shown that global warming is intensifying the dry conditions. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026