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
Ben Clemens at FanGraphs measured the change, relative to the 2025 regular season, and found that the zone has shrunk at the top of the zone and on the edges of the plate.
—
Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Can’t one or two of the others on that page be shrunk a little to accommodate it?
—Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Groundwater levels have dropped, salt lagoons have shrunk, and freshwater aquifers are increasingly at risk of being depleted and contaminated.
—Abraham Nunbogu, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
As Mexico City has expanded over time, the Xochimilco lake system has gradually shrunk and become more polluted in certain areas, which has led to a steep decline in their population.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
As Mexico City has expanded, Xochimilco’s waters have shrunk and become more polluted, reducing suitable habitat for the species.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
As Mexico City has expanded, the Xochimilco water system has shrunk and become increasingly polluted, placing mounting pressure on the axolotl population.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
Today, Ganni has 50 more stockists and 23 additional stores, but its workforce has shrunk to 453, the company confirmed.
—Maliha Shoaib, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2026
The drugmaker Erasca said Monday that its RAS-targeting pill shrank tumors in 40% of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and 62% of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, results that the company said exceeded its expectations.
—Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 27 Apr. 2026
Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Can’t one or two of the others on that page be shrunk a little to accommodate it?
—Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Groundwater levels have dropped, salt lagoons have shrunk, and freshwater aquifers are increasingly at risk of being depleted and contaminated.
—Abraham Nunbogu, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
As Mexico City has expanded over time, the Xochimilco lake system has gradually shrunk and become more polluted in certain areas, which has led to a steep decline in their population.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
As Mexico City has expanded, Xochimilco’s waters have shrunk and become more polluted, reducing suitable habitat for the species.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
As Mexico City has expanded, the Xochimilco water system has shrunk and become increasingly polluted, placing mounting pressure on the axolotl population.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
Today, Ganni has 50 more stockists and 23 additional stores, but its workforce has shrunk to 453, the company confirmed.
—Maliha Shoaib, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2026
The drugmaker Erasca said Monday that its RAS-targeting pill shrank tumors in 40% of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and 62% of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, results that the company said exceeded its expectations.
—Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrank
Verb
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What was once a six-to eight-month season is now compressed to about four months, with this year's season ending on April 30 for fishermen who use conventional equipment.—
Da Lin,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
-
If entry-level roles are compressed too aggressively, firms risk weakening their own talent pipelines.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Investors recoiled out of fears of an endless quagmire.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
When Paramount debuted a first look at the film in 2019, online commentators recoiled at the speedy hedgehog’s human teeth and odd facial features.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Last year, the number of officers killed decreased, both in terms of officers killed as a result of felonious acts and those killed accidentally.—
Kenneth D. Robinson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
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In addition, overall passenger numbers decreased 20% after Spirit exited a route, which indicates that rival airlines did not immediately step forward to fill the void.—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The seven food groups of the National Food Guide were condensed to four by combining all fruits and vegetables—regardless of color or form—into one group.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Some responses are paraphrased for clarity or condensed for brevity.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Meta Platforms is splashing some serious cash on AI infrastructure, and investors have flinched.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
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The recruiting operation has barely flinched, as Bama has reeled in its fair share of five-stars and top five classes since DeBoer's arrival in January 2024.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But before he was felled at age 68 by a heart attack, Joiner had shared what was in the briefcase with the lead Louisiana State Police investigator on the case, Stefan Montgomery, Joiner's son and the LSP confirmed.—
Stephanie Gosk,
NBC news,
28 Apr. 2026
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John Adams famously wrote to his wife, Abigail, that smallpox was killing 10 soldiers for every one felled in battle.—
Katrine L. Wallace,
The Conversation,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His 69-year-old wife was transferred to South Africa at the same time but collapsed at a Johannesburg airport and died at a nearby hospital, the South African Department of Health said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
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His wife later collapsed and died at Johannesburg’s international airport while attempting to return home.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Internally, some employees winced as the prices of some chips surpassed $7.—
Wire TBD,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Apr. 2026
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Internally, some employees winced as the prices of some chips surpassed $7.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shrank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrank. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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