1
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
2
as in recoils
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust
shrinking back from the approaching flames
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
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Recent Examples of shrinks
The number of truckers on the road grows when demand is hot and shrinks as the economy cools.
—
Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Steady decline of sea ice Each year Arctic sea ice grows over the cold winter and shrinks in the heat of the summer.
—Seth Borenstein, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Steady decline of sea ice Each year, Arctic sea ice grows over the cold winter and shrinks in the heat of the summer.
—CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Some scientists have projected that the Arctic will experience its first ice-free day—defined as the moment when ice cover shrinks below one million km2 (386,000 square miles)—before the end of the decade.
—Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2026
The mammals are led by a chipper naïf of a beaver named George (Bobby Moynihan), who insists that everyone can still live in harmony even as their territory shrinks.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
The giant shrinks, and all that grows is the world’s stockpile of malice.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
More than ever, as the American market shrinks, these films must find a global audience.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Gravitational waves are usually hunted by measuring distance—how space itself stretches and shrinks ever so slightly.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2026
Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Steady decline of sea ice Each year Arctic sea ice grows over the cold winter and shrinks in the heat of the summer.
—Seth Borenstein, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Steady decline of sea ice Each year, Arctic sea ice grows over the cold winter and shrinks in the heat of the summer.
—CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Some scientists have projected that the Arctic will experience its first ice-free day—defined as the moment when ice cover shrinks below one million km2 (386,000 square miles)—before the end of the decade.
—Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2026
The mammals are led by a chipper naïf of a beaver named George (Bobby Moynihan), who insists that everyone can still live in harmony even as their territory shrinks.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
The giant shrinks, and all that grows is the world’s stockpile of malice.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
More than ever, as the American market shrinks, these films must find a global audience.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Gravitational waves are usually hunted by measuring distance—how space itself stretches and shrinks ever so slightly.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrinks
Verb
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The back line compresses space, the midfield disrupts passing lanes and Ferree has commanded his box with composure beyond his years.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
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Most have a double-zipper system, with one zipper to close the cube and a second zipper that compresses it to a fraction of its full size.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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There’s a scene in which Frank meets his own idol, an alt-world version of Fred Astaire (played by Gyllenhaal’s brother Jake, who is good at mugging and singing), and vomits his fandom at him until the actor recoils.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
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At some point, each of us is faced with a clingy child, a dramatic friend, a partner who recoils at the first hint of intimacy, a volatile parent or a controlling boss — in short, a difficult relationship.—
Jessica A. Stern,
The Conversation,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Mar. 2026
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And recent data from a trial that Cherney is involved in, called REMODEL, show that semaglutide reduces damage to kidney blood vessel linings, decreases the activity of natural killer cells (white blood cells that destroy diseased cells), and increases fat loss from stores surrounding the kidneys.—
Tara Haelle,
Scientific American,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This means giving up the exalted and exaggerated idea of the West that boosts a masculinist self-image but severely constricts thought and feeling.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The psychic and physical toll of white supremacy, sustained cruelty, imprisonment, famine, poverty, depression, grief, or illness constricts one’s depth of imagination and movement.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Lubezki’s camera gets close to the action and never flinches, which underscores Iñarritu’s commitment to excessive mayhem at every turn.—
Eric Kohn,
IndieWire,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Cash flinches from this cascade of consequences.—
Gideon Leek,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Mar. 2026
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Ned Bair, a research associate at the Earth Research Institute at UC Santa Barbara, said that while the total number of avalanches may decrease over time as the overall snowpack diminishes, the ones that do occur could become more intense due to climate change.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Due to extra off days in April, the Yankees will begin the season with a four-man starting staff but plan to re-incorporate Gil in the rotation once the schedule condenses.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
23 Mar. 2026
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The network does not air the BAFTAs live, but edits and condenses the three-hour show into a two-hour program to be broadcast later.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Bryan winces after weighing in at 597 lbs.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
9 Dec. 2025
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When the crowd begins hooting in response, Nanjiani winces.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
3 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrinks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrinks. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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