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 flinched
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shrank
After buyouts, early retirements, voluntary separations and a Reduction in Force, the agency was shrunk nearly in half earlier this year.
—
Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2025
But there was no room to grow and the capacity had shrunk to 38,000.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
In Illinois, wetland habitat has shrunk as the state deals with drought.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025
Varland was in no mood to marvel at Judge's heroics after his team's lead in the best-of-five battle shrank to just one game.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
The distance between boy and deer shrank slowly.
—Jim Moore, Outdoor Life, 8 Oct. 2025
Florida yet again found itself on the verge of program collapse, having shrunk a preseason top 15 team and a potential Heisman candidate into a product that appeared to be at best the fourth worst in its own state at 1-3.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
But Hothead has shrunk into the couch, her feet not reaching the ground, looking like a little kid.
—Jo Livingstone, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
The external factors of the crisis Since 2020, Cuba’s gross domestic product has shrunk by almost 11%, with economists forecasting a further decline of 1%-2% in 2025.
—Joseph J. Gonzalez, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2025
But there was no room to grow and the capacity had shrunk to 38,000.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
In Illinois, wetland habitat has shrunk as the state deals with drought.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025
Varland was in no mood to marvel at Judge's heroics after his team's lead in the best-of-five battle shrank to just one game.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
The distance between boy and deer shrank slowly.
—Jim Moore, Outdoor Life, 8 Oct. 2025
Florida yet again found itself on the verge of program collapse, having shrunk a preseason top 15 team and a potential Heisman candidate into a product that appeared to be at best the fourth worst in its own state at 1-3.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
But Hothead has shrunk into the couch, her feet not reaching the ground, looking like a little kid.
—Jo Livingstone, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
The external factors of the crisis Since 2020, Cuba’s gross domestic product has shrunk by almost 11%, with economists forecasting a further decline of 1%-2% in 2025.
—Joseph J. Gonzalez, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrank
Verb
-
However, by integrating emerging technologies into the existing CMOS platform, the process in our research is significantly compressed.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Multiverse’s argument that compressed models significantly cut energy use might also not hold up over time, because cheaper, more accessible AI models will likely attract billions more users.—
Vivienne Walt,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But none of the band members ever flinched over the divide that formed over their pre- and post-Vheissu sound.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
-
These images of an expanding Kong appeared on the screen and the actors on stage in front of it flinched in horror as the dwarfing image of Kong’s bigness loomed menacingly behind them.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In early January, the restuarant closed for two weeks to regroup after sales decreased by 37%.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Drake claimed the single irreparably damaged his reputation and decreased his brand’s value.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Without them, revenue constricted, theaters closed and staff were laid off.—
Ilan Berman,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Plus, the faux leather material has some give, so your foot won’t feel constricted.—
Shea Simmons,
People.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Some recoiled at the launch and others quit their positions.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Videos recorded by witnesses at the Utah Valley University event showed Kirk being shot in the neck and bleeding heavily as his body recoiled.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That risk includes the fact that the role required a dramatic physical transformation—involving facial prosthetics to better resemble Kerr, which could’ve diminished his usual appeal.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
9 Oct. 2025
-
In some cases, immunity from prior vaccination may have diminished over time, leaving them more susceptible if vaccine coverage falls and infections spread more widely.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The losses shook investors’ confidence in Milei’s ability to see through his economic reforms.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The unit shook off the penalties and miscues to contain a talented Oklahoma defensive line.—
Sam Khan Jr,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This was the club felled by Pete Alonso’s shocking home run last autumn.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
-
However, the miniature accessories didn’t seem to stop a group of humans from felling and butchering the elephant.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrank. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share