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

Whether DeSantis’ redistricting effort delivers for Republicans Florida’s new congressional maps shrunk the number of Democratic-leaning seats from eight to four. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026

The actuators push a piston with pressurized oil, much like the arm of an excavator, only shrunk down. — New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026

Researchers at Switzerland’s EPFL have shrunk a sophisticated blue laser onto a tiny photonic chip without sacrificing performance. — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026

After just four decades, the lake had dropped nearly 50 feet, doubled in salinity and shrunk to half its original volume. — Josh Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026

Madagascar’s natural forests shrank 27% between 1990 and 2025, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, meaning the vines on which the pepper grows have nowhere to climb. — Leah Quinn, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Yet even as its membership shrank, UFW continued to wield influence in California politics far beyond its size and resources in part due to Chavez. — Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026

But during Moeller’s time as CEO, which ran from 2021 through 2025, P&G’s organic sales growth gradually shrank, slipping from 7% in fiscal 2023 to 1% in fiscal 2026. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026

Then came required state and federal taxes, so the prize shrank yet again to $864,126, lottery officials said. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026