SHRINKS Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

shrinks

verb

present tense third-person singular of shrink

as in compresses

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

as in recoils

to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust shrinking back from the approaching flames

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in decreases

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 shrinks When inflation is running over 9%, the real value of wages shrinks rapidly, causing severe strain on household budgets. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 11 Nov. 2026 Instead of large backlit zones lighting up behind the panel to make the display glow, mini-LED technology shrinks the backlighting zones down to just a few millimeters across. — Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 4 Nov. 2026 Equal spending isn’t enough Our findings show that public education is the main reason the investment gap between rich and poor children shrinks once kids turn 5. — David Blazar, The Conversation, 4 Nov. 2026 The old twenty-to-thirty-point knowledge-benchmark gap has shrunk to three to five, and shrinks again at every open release. — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2026 Patients whose jaw shape is not driven by muscle bulk, or those with meaningful skin laxity, may see jowling worsen as the muscle shrinks. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2026 But the administration is running out of time to fill posts if Republicans lose the Senate or their majority shrinks. — Katherine Doyle, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026 The formula also has a unique delivery system that shrinks the size of water molecules, allowing the solution to sink deeper into skin. — Deanna Pai, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026 This Sunday night, the margin for error shrinks as Kansas City travels to face the Seattle Seahawks. — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrinks

Verb

Boosted thrust by 50% An EDF, on the other hand, barely compresses incoming air at all.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026
In New York City, for instance, the weight of buildings compresses the region’s soft soils.

— Sanidhya Sharma, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of compresses

Verb

People with diabetes, peripheral neuropathy or circulation problems need to be especially cautious about anything that constricts the feet or creates friction.

— Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
Cold water triggers an immediate stress response that spikes heart rate, speeds breathing and constricts blood vessels.

— Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of constricts

Verb

When Lee mentions Nathan Spence was meant to attend the program, Jed barely flinches, expressing sympathy for the boy’s confused and grieving mother.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2026
Warner flinches not about a birthday that is often associated with the beginning of decline.

— Dan Pompei, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of flinches

Verb

Determined and relentless, Hester, as incarnated by Johansson, dominates the action and steals the film with a decisive form of passive aggression—one that Gray condenses into a breathtakingly rapid, boldly symbolic special effect.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026
Paraphrasing generally restates the original information in different language while retaining the key ideas, whereas summarizing condenses the information into a shorter version.

— Ethan Stone, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of condenses

Verb

LaFleur winces, until learning the Packers were a respectable 16th in core-four performance (as measured by Expected Points Added) last season.

— Mike Sando, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Toxicologist Fernández has stayed in touch with his patient and still winces about how Mark feared reporting the crime to the police could reflect poorly on him professionally.

— Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026