as in afraid
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1
as in revulsion
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2
as in diminishing
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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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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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Recent Examples of shrinking
Diana Olick, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
Her world is either expanding or … shrinking?
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
This three-piece set from Chezmoi Collection includes a bedspread and two matching shams that resist pilling, shrinking, and thinning over time, all while regulating temperature to prevent overheating.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2025
Hot water can be rough on fabrics and reduce the quality of your bedding over time, causing shrinking, fading, and deterioration of the fabric.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2025
Simultaneously, their shrinking contributes directly to rising sea levels, one of the most profound and far-reaching consequences of climate change.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Perone warned that with federal funding for social services shrinking, older adults’ needs are only going to keep growing, and without new support from governments or nonprofits, local resources may not be enough.
—Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 12 Oct. 2025
Yet even as detox numbers improve, the number of outreach workers countywide able to connect people to services is at risk of shrinking.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
Among the consequences will be a shrinking of the civic arena, which could create an opening for nondemocratic actors such as China and Russia to expand their regional influence.
—Omar G. Encarnación, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2025
Khadejeh Nikouyeh, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025
Its high cost is due to a combination of huge demand and shrinking stocks, coupled with a laborious extraction process.
—Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
As the flight reductions gradually increase, travelers can expect cascading disruptions, including mounting cancellations, delays, shrinking rebooking options, and crowded gates—especially as the start of the Thanksgiving travel period looms.
—AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025
The centerpiece of the package’s first half is shrinking the power of the city’s Historical Resources Board by allowing the City Council to reverse its decisions.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
In a world in which viable theatrical distribution partners are shrinking, Black Bear’s entree into the space is widely considered a boon for the ever-challenging indie sector.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
The next three shrinking industries have deep ties to California.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 6 Nov. 2025
In the second quarter, while many fast-food rivals reported shrinking sales, Taco Bell reported same-store sales growth of 4%.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
But shrinking pixels isn’t simple.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
The volume of $100 million-plus deals in the third quarter was up 35% over last year, while the volume of smaller deals has been flat or shrinking.
—Diana Olick, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
Her world is either expanding or … shrinking?
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
This three-piece set from Chezmoi Collection includes a bedspread and two matching shams that resist pilling, shrinking, and thinning over time, all while regulating temperature to prevent overheating.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2025
Hot water can be rough on fabrics and reduce the quality of your bedding over time, causing shrinking, fading, and deterioration of the fabric.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2025
Simultaneously, their shrinking contributes directly to rising sea levels, one of the most profound and far-reaching consequences of climate change.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Perone warned that with federal funding for social services shrinking, older adults’ needs are only going to keep growing, and without new support from governments or nonprofits, local resources may not be enough.
—Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 12 Oct. 2025
Yet even as detox numbers improve, the number of outreach workers countywide able to connect people to services is at risk of shrinking.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
Among the consequences will be a shrinking of the civic arena, which could create an opening for nondemocratic actors such as China and Russia to expand their regional influence.
—Omar G. Encarnación, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
To add 5,000 homes, millions of square feet of office space, half a million square feet of retail and 1,000 hotel rooms, developers cut down 1,400 acres of forest in a city where the tree canopy is steadily shrinking.
—Khadejeh Nikouyeh, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025
Its high cost is due to a combination of huge demand and shrinking stocks, coupled with a laborious extraction process.
—Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
As the flight reductions gradually increase, travelers can expect cascading disruptions, including mounting cancellations, delays, shrinking rebooking options, and crowded gates—especially as the start of the Thanksgiving travel period looms.
—AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025
The centerpiece of the package’s first half is shrinking the power of the city’s Historical Resources Board by allowing the City Council to reverse its decisions.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
In a world in which viable theatrical distribution partners are shrinking, Black Bear’s entree into the space is widely considered a boon for the ever-challenging indie sector.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
The next three shrinking industries have deep ties to California.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 6 Nov. 2025
In the second quarter, while many fast-food rivals reported shrinking sales, Taco Bell reported same-store sales growth of 4%.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
But shrinking pixels isn’t simple.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrinking
Adjective
-
The government hopes for rain, but people are already afraid.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
As a result, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin wasn't afraid to acknowledge just how bad things went for star quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the rest of his team as a whole.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Even House Speaker Mike Johnson, who otherwise has humored Trump at every turn, has expressed revulsion at the idea of a pardon.—
Robin Abcarian,
Mercury News,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The move follows widespread public revulsion over the attacks in the UK.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Doing the same routine over and over will likely yield diminishing returns, while raising the chances of boredom or a repetitive-use injury.—
Jamie Ducharme,
Health,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Volpe was a focus of both media sessions, as Boone and Cashman detailed the extent of his shoulder problem and were both asked why the team stuck with him as the everyday shortstop despite the injury and his diminishing play.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
According to the team, the process mimics the geological conditions that form fossil fuels, compressing wet biomass at high temperatures and pressures to produce biocrude.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The mass on the ovary can also push onto the urinary system, compressing your bladder and creating a feeling of having to urinate constantly.—
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira,
Flow Space,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Bassist Franz Lyons, standing nearby onstage, is seen recoiling and shielding his eyes from the dispersing spray.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Americans are recoiling from the Democratic Party, and even in blue states like Colorado, Democrats are feeling the burn.—
The Denver Post Editorial Board,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As Arizona squeezes more money from its decreasing share of river water, freighting every drop with critical industries and a booming housing market, the price of water is bound to keep climbing.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The effect of climate change on traditional bear food sources, a steep population decline in rural areas, and the decreasing number of hunters have been cited as factors driving the rise in bear encounters.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Wonkier reads, to be sure—but these both provide useful context for those looking to understand why the Democratic Party can be so timid before numbers.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
-
In 2024, the Harris-Walz campaign seemed timid, participating in few press conferences and potentially adversarial interviews.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The rifle weighs up to 120 pounds with massive muzzle brakes, producing more than 200 foot-pounds of recoil.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Oct. 2025
-
This isn’t just adding parts to guns to increase damage or lessen recoil either; there’s room for some really funky experiments provided the right items are found.—
Jason Fanelli,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrinking. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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