as in afraid
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in revulsion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in diminishing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in compressing
to become smaller in size or volume through the drawing together of particles of matter
the sweater will shrink a little when washed
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in recoiling
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust
shrinking back from the approaching flames
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3
as in decreasing
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 shrinking
Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
Mature markets like California, Colorado, and Oregon are shrinking in sales and tax revenue.
—Andrew Deangelo, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
While hot water can help break down oils and grease, cold water is gentler on fabrics and helps prevent shrinking or fading, which is important for preserving the longevity of your sheets.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2024
Newsweek spoke to therapist and head of relationships at Paired, Aly Bullock, about why the issue is pressing for these generations, who may face shrinking social circles due to health challenges, retirement, or changes in family dynamics.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
Poor performance, shrinking market share, or stagnant growth are harder to conceal, especially in an economic climate supported by a strong stock market in 2023 and continued growth in 2024.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Slower growth in China and weaker stock markets in Europe played a role in shrinking the fortunes of hundreds of billionaires.
—Julie Goldenberg, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
Technology miniaturisation is moving fast in the audio world as surface mount speakers and tiny microphones mean electronic devices are still shrinking as performance expands.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Starbucks With sales shrinking in its biggest markets, Starbucks poached Chipotle Mexican Grill star CEO Brian Niccol to turn around the coffee chain’s fortunes, replacing Laxman Narasimhan.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
The pool of available CPAs has been shrinking as Baby Boomers and some Gen Xers retire.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
Mature markets like California, Colorado, and Oregon are shrinking in sales and tax revenue.
—Andrew Deangelo, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
While hot water can help break down oils and grease, cold water is gentler on fabrics and helps prevent shrinking or fading, which is important for preserving the longevity of your sheets.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2024
Newsweek spoke to therapist and head of relationships at Paired, Aly Bullock, about why the issue is pressing for these generations, who may face shrinking social circles due to health challenges, retirement, or changes in family dynamics.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
Poor performance, shrinking market share, or stagnant growth are harder to conceal, especially in an economic climate supported by a strong stock market in 2023 and continued growth in 2024.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Slower growth in China and weaker stock markets in Europe played a role in shrinking the fortunes of hundreds of billionaires.
—Julie Goldenberg, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
Technology miniaturisation is moving fast in the audio world as surface mount speakers and tiny microphones mean electronic devices are still shrinking as performance expands.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Starbucks With sales shrinking in its biggest markets, Starbucks poached Chipotle Mexican Grill star CEO Brian Niccol to turn around the coffee chain’s fortunes, replacing Laxman Narasimhan.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrinking
Adjective
-
Suspect's family detained: Wife, 5 children deportation Jewish community on edge: Amid ongoing attacks, Jewish people are afraid.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
-
On the experimental end, the label isn’t afraid to push boundaries, as evidenced by Magnificent Little Dudes, a captivating collaboration between Japanese ambient artist Chihei Hatakeyama and jazz drummer Shun Ishiwaka.—
Steve Baltin,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
The recognition of their similarity seems to breed revulsion, not solidarity.—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
26 Mar. 2025
-
They’re made to live as subjects of revulsion by day and secret objects of desire by night, all while risking sudden turns toward brutality born from vulnerable self-loathing.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
The confident smile the until then timid Giulio wears on his face as a result is equally cliched.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
25 May 2025
-
The slope of that ramp makes Pike’s Peak look timid.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 May 2025
Noun
-
Such interactions between black holes or neutron stars (compact remnants of exploded massive stars) can be studied through the deflection angle, the energy released through the near miss and the momentum of the objects’ recoil—all of which may be discerned in gravitational waves.—
Ramin Skibba,
Scientific American,
13 May 2025
-
This disruption of the sextet sets the rest of the story in motion, as everyone reacts and recoils, prompted to judge one another and themselves.—
Margaret Lyons,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
The crossbody bag option, meanwhile, is less constricting and makes a stylish statement piece on top of any casual outfit.—
Clint Davis,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Dec. 2024
-
But his refusal to adhere to facts isn’t constricting.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
TIME,
25 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
But the same things that prevent parents from maintaining employment or housing — especially substance abuse and mental illness — often inhibit them from engaging in services, while also diminishing their ability to protect and care for their children.—
Emily Putnam-Hornstein and Naomi Schaefer Riley,
Twin Cities,
13 Apr. 2025
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After his round, the Irishman did not tolerate the media diminishing his spot in the tournament.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Horses are naturally skittish animals that can easily become frightened and bolt.—
Moná Thomas,
People.com,
27 May 2025
-
Footage from the immediate aftermath captured mothers and fathers clutching children on their hips, running through the mist of water dousing the flames, while frightened dogs scrambled alongside them.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
While gold is a popular choice when investors are scared, other alternatives such as infrastructure and real estate offer similar protection.—
Eric Satz,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
-
Plus, hearing from the new owners, those dogs have also been scared and skittish around humans.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrinking. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
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