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

In the visual network, the gap between eyes-open and eyes-closed connectivity shrank by 85 percent. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 Oct. 2026

In 2024, the luxury market shrank 2%, losing some 50 million consumers. — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026

But while our online worlds have since expanded, the real-world space for anarchic creativity has shrunk. — Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026

Crispy rice bites like these hit a nostalgic note, the lunchbox feeling of a crispy square that is shrunk down to poppable size. — Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 8 Oct. 2026

That number has shrunk dramatically every time the state has pushed back on it. — Philip Wang, Time, 7 Oct. 2026

Even as Florida’s population has grown by almost 2 million people since the start of this decade, the number of voters in the state has shrunk, according to a recent Miami Herald analysis. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026

With wet leaves, dry leaves, and pine needles shrunk into tiny cuttings, this electric shredder is able to convert 18 bags of yard waste into one bag of nutrient-heavy mulch that can feed your gardens and landscaping. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Oct. 2026

Walmart China, for instance, has shrunk portion sizes to match households’ smaller appetites. — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026