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 active material, a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE), is a key polymer that physically shrinks when heated.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 May 2026
The hippocampus, the seat of memory, shrinks.
—Big Think, 1 May 2026
If your kitchen is especially warm, that window shrinks even further.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2026
The campaign also introduces more enemy bullets with a yellow corruption that shrinks the armor, representing health.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
Spending can go only up, even as the student population shrinks.
—Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Exercise also increases levels of BDNF, a growth factor that helps maintain the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for forming new and long-term memories, and one that often shrinks in dementia, said Ashwini Nadkarni, assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
If Republicans’ majority shrinks — or Democrats win control of the Senate in November — Republicans would have a much harder time confirming a conservative justice.
—Cate Martel, The Hill, 20 Apr. 2026
The original is set in an Australian rainforest populated by fairies, one of whom accidentally shrinks a logger to fairy size.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2026
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 May 2026
The hippocampus, the seat of memory, shrinks.
—Big Think, 1 May 2026
If your kitchen is especially warm, that window shrinks even further.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2026
The campaign also introduces more enemy bullets with a yellow corruption that shrinks the armor, representing health.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
Spending can go only up, even as the student population shrinks.
—Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Exercise also increases levels of BDNF, a growth factor that helps maintain the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for forming new and long-term memories, and one that often shrinks in dementia, said Ashwini Nadkarni, assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
If Republicans’ majority shrinks — or Democrats win control of the Senate in November — Republicans would have a much harder time confirming a conservative justice.
—Cate Martel, The Hill, 20 Apr. 2026
The original is set in an Australian rainforest populated by fairies, one of whom accidentally shrinks a logger to fairy size.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrinks
Verb
-
The rings arise because the metal softens as the can compresses, then stiffens, then compresses and stiffens again, repeating the pattern until the compression is complete—akin to something called homoclinic snaking.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2026
-
Ackerly explains what happens when AI compresses all of that.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
First of all, the touching, which Margo recoils from, was unnecessary.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Exhaling occurs when the diaphragm relaxes and the chest recoils.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
-
This risk decreases as the storm moves away.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 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
-
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
-
DiVincenzo never flinches at adversity.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Definition softens, dry lips are a constant, volume diminishes, and suddenly your favorite Pillow Talk Lip Liner is migrating and smudging into fine lines.—
Micaela English,
Glamour,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Cold water from depths of up to about 3,280 feet then condenses the vapor back into liquid, allowing the cycle to repeat and generate electricity continuously.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Refrigerator coils are full of hot refrigerant that condenses into liquid, releasing heat into your kitchen.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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 7 May. 2026.
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