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 team shrunk mentally as the second half went on, a common theme for this club in 2026. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2026

Giant-planet rings are already known to shift over months and years; Saturn’s D ring has measurably shrunk, and Neptune’s Adams arcs rearrange themselves. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 19 Sep. 2026

The 2020 census places Black Angelenos at just 8% of the city’s population, the fifth census in a row where the community’s share has shrunk. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

If, as a result, the market for hats has considerably shrunk in the last century, Royer feels no nostalgia for the days when covering your head was de rigueur. — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026

The defeat shrank the NL East division lead to 4½ games because the Phillies beat the Nationals. — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Several middle-aged Cubans drew a contrast with the 1990s Special Period, when the loss of Soviet aid and trade shrank the economy by about 35 percent but far fewer doctors and teachers left. — Will Freeman, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2026

The federal workforce shrunk by roughly 216,000 workers in 2025, according to federal data. — Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

But in 2021, Premier League clubs lost access to that exception and this shrunk the market by 95 per cent. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026