1
as in to compress
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 to flinch
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust
shrinking back from the approaching flames
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to decrease
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shrink
Many of those institutions have shrunk, disappeared, or become too expensive or inaccessible.
—
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
While many other centers are shrinking, Danbury Fair continues to grow and evolve.
—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
19 June 2026
In many parts of the country, especially rural communities, access to maternity care is shrinking, not expanding.
—
Jocelyn Mitchell-Williams,
STAT,
19 June 2026
In its economic forecast report last year, the Florida Chamber of Commerce projected that the state’s working-age population — those between 18 and 64 — would shrink between 2023 and 2025, reducing the size of the workforce.
—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for shrink
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
While many other centers are shrinking, Danbury Fair continues to grow and evolve.
—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
19 June 2026
In many parts of the country, especially rural communities, access to maternity care is shrinking, not expanding.
—
Jocelyn Mitchell-Williams,
STAT,
19 June 2026
In its economic forecast report last year, the Florida Chamber of Commerce projected that the state’s working-age population — those between 18 and 64 — would shrink between 2023 and 2025, reducing the size of the workforce.
—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for shrink
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrink
Verb
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Platforms like TikTok have accelerated this further by compressing inspiration and transaction into the same moment.
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This fusion approach relies on powerful laser pulses to compress and ignite fusion fuel.
Verb
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The story does not flinch from the realities of segregation, including the violence that the family faced moving into white neighborhoods in Fort Worth in the 1950s, but there is more hope than fear, more faith in the power of righteousness to defeat injustice, in its pages.
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Credit card APRs are still parked near record highs, after all, and rates on mortgages and many other loan products have barely flinched, meaning there are big affordability challenges for those who need to borrow money in today's landscape.
Verb
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This risk decreases as the storm moves away.
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Yet burnout is associated with emotional exhaustion, cynicism, reduced motivation, sleep problems, and decreased enjoyment of previously pleasurable activities.
Verb
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This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
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The following interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length.
Verb
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James stretched his neck and winced.
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Throughout training this week, Bombito was seen wincing when taking tight turns and limping at times following drills.
Verb
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The weight that was added to the structure over its lifetime diminished the building’s margins against failure, the report said.
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Louden points out that sometimes an English word strengthens and diversifies the Pennsylvania Dutch lexicon rather than diminishes it.
Verb
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No one is constricted to a static office environment.
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Smoking Each puff of a cigarette causes a temporary spike in blood pressure by stimulating the sympathetic nervous system and constricting blood vessels.
Verb
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Markets recoiled for a moment, then kept climbing, the Nasdaq tripling before the decade was out.
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This faith caused the neocons to recoil in from the Obama administration’s 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.
Cite this Entry
“Shrink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrink. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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