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

Other brands have simply shrunk their bottles, the better to transport them in your pocket, around your neck, attached to your key chain or perhaps on a chatelaine around your waist. — Chloe Schama, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026

Washington — The unemployment gap between young high school graduates and their counterparts who obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher has shrunk steadily over the past few years in a sign of structural shifts happening in the US economy. — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026

China’s factory activity shrunk for a second consecutive month, further compounding the challenges for the world’s second-biggest economy. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026

In trials, radiation either shrank tumors or stopped them from growing, in all patients evaluated. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026

The courts’ backlog of cases shrank for the first time in nearly a decade in fiscal year 2025, and has done so again in fiscal 2026. — Cameron Pugh, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Aug. 2026

From 2004 to 2013, Chicago’s population shrank by 130,214 people, while unfunded pension obligations rose from $4,305 to $12,889 per resident, a Civic Federation analysis found. — Adam Drakulic, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026

The Colorado River, a critical water lifeline for seven states, has shrunk dramatically. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

But according to reporting from the LA Times, beef sales have shrunk year over year while sales of chicken have continued to grow compared to last year. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026