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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shrinks
The Miniature Wife Elizabeth Banks and Matthew Macfadyen star in this dramedy about an egocentric scientist on the verge of a breakthrough who accidentally shrinks his wife, a Pulitzer-winning author who hasn’t written a lick in more than a decade.
—
Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
As the labor force shrinks, economic output and tax revenues may contract while demand for pensions, healthcare, and social security rises—a financial burden that will be borne by an increasingly smaller workforce.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Apr. 2026
But anyone who has ever watched baseball knows every umpire has their own unique strike zone, and sometimes that zone grows and shrinks depending on the situation.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
If the potential experiences net growth from the time the wave enters to the time the wave leaves, there’s an additional imprint of a net redshift; if the potential shrinks, there’s an additional imprint of a net blueshift.
—Big Think, 3 Apr. 2026
That’s because many airlines use dynamic pricing, which raises fares as demand increases and seat availability shrinks.
—Layla Melendez, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2026
That's because OLEDs show the biggest changes as the white field shrinks.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
In business, the workforce grows, and the workforce shrinks; everyone knows that.
—Michael Bush, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
Elizabeth Banks and Matthew Macfadyen star in this adaptation of Manuel Gonzalez’s short story, in which, well, a scientist accidentally shrinks his wife.
—Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 30 Mar. 2026
Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
As the labor force shrinks, economic output and tax revenues may contract while demand for pensions, healthcare, and social security rises—a financial burden that will be borne by an increasingly smaller workforce.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Apr. 2026
But anyone who has ever watched baseball knows every umpire has their own unique strike zone, and sometimes that zone grows and shrinks depending on the situation.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
If the potential experiences net growth from the time the wave enters to the time the wave leaves, there’s an additional imprint of a net redshift; if the potential shrinks, there’s an additional imprint of a net blueshift.
—Big Think, 3 Apr. 2026
That’s because many airlines use dynamic pricing, which raises fares as demand increases and seat availability shrinks.
—Layla Melendez, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2026
That's because OLEDs show the biggest changes as the white field shrinks.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
In business, the workforce grows, and the workforce shrinks; everyone knows that.
—Michael Bush, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
Elizabeth Banks and Matthew Macfadyen star in this adaptation of Manuel Gonzalez’s short story, in which, well, a scientist accidentally shrinks his wife.
—Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrinks
Verb
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The memory foam feels plush yet supportive, and the pillow compresses down to fit easily in a carry-on when not in use.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Moisture can influence the leather and core, changing how the ball compresses at impact.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Exhaling occurs when the diaphragm relaxes and the chest recoils.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
By April and May, the shelf life decreases.—
Stacey Lastoe,
Southern Living,
20 Apr. 2026
-
When timelines stretch over years, transaction certainty decreases, project economics weaken, and securing financing becomes more difficult.—
Dan Romito,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The coldness of the water constricts arteries, requiring the heart to work harder than normal to function.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
-
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
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Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Apr. 2026
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But as the season progresses, that outlet diminishes.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As that air rises, cools, and condenses, heavy rain can drop in a compact zone while nearby air remains dry.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
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The burger contains two one-pound patties, 10 pieces of bacon, two layers of mushrooms (Beard winces at the thought of mushrooms), two layers of blue cheese crumbles and Swiss cheese, mayonnaise, tomato and lettuce.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Apr. 2026
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Bryan winces after weighing in at 597 lbs.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrinks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrinks. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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