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 The proportion of people older than 65 is rising rapidly, while the working-age population that supports them shrinks. — Venki Ramakrishnan, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026 For example, if a project’s budget shrinks, leaders should explore what alternative approach could still deliver the outcome and communicate clearly if the outcome itself must shift. — Ashish Agarwal, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026 Both add friction that slows candidates down and shrinks your pool for no good reason. — Audrey Payne, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026 Her goal for the company is to provide performance opportunities for local professional opera singers who have seen their work dwindle as the industry shrinks. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2026 Aware of them now, the dog shakes loose the can—his forelock matted, his jowl smeared with beans—and shrinks into the trees with a whimper that makes something tighten in Molly’s own chest. — Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026 The company developed an algorithm that shrinks videos to keep data on its clients’ systems, including air-gapped networks. — Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026 What remains of the rock by this stage shrinks rapidly, also slowing significantly, with this slowdown occurring faster if the rock has fragmented more successfully. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Officials say uncrewed weapons could also help Japan compensate for the falling number of military personnel as its population ages and shrinks. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrinks

Verb

Christmas tree pins have a tiered configuration that compresses rather than pierces the ground (a win for modern synthetic or Mondo tracks).

— Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026
As the spacecraft strikes the air, the gas in front of it compresses rapidly and heats up.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of compresses

Verb

This stress response constricts blood vessels and accelerates heart rate, which can contribute to blood pressure spikes.

— Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 11 June 2026
The coldness of the water constricts arteries, requiring the heart to work harder than normal to function.

— Saleen Martin, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026

Definition of constricts

Verb

Warner flinches not about a birthday that is often associated with the beginning of decline.

— Dan Pompei, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Advertisement Throughout the narrative, Johnson never flinches in his portrayal of the wreck, unleashing footage of investigators approaching the car and the victims’ families.

— Jake King-Schreifels, Time, 15 May 2026

Definition of flinches

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