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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shrinks
The distance between intent and executable code shrinks dramatically.
—
John Sviokla, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
As the elderly cohort grows, the worker-to-retiree ratio shrinks, piling more pressure on the underfunded pension system.
—Bloomberg, Fortune, 19 Jan. 2026
Warmer seasons year round are leading to drying of the landscape that shrinks the snowpack and increases the year-round risk of catastrophic wildfires.
—Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 19 Jan. 2026
Their net worth keeps rising while their time to use it shrinks.
—Steve Booren, Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2026
Limiting who can buy homes shrinks the market and discourages construction.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
This project shrinks the space for legislative creativity in confronting and solving problems.
—Duncan Hosie, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
And there’s a theory on TikTok that Accutane shrinks your nose.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 12 Jan. 2026
Antarctic Ozone hole shrinks The ozone hole over Antarctica has shrunk to its fifth-smallest size in more than three decades, according to NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 26 Dec. 2025
John Sviokla, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
As the elderly cohort grows, the worker-to-retiree ratio shrinks, piling more pressure on the underfunded pension system.
—Bloomberg, Fortune, 19 Jan. 2026
Warmer seasons year round are leading to drying of the landscape that shrinks the snowpack and increases the year-round risk of catastrophic wildfires.
—Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 19 Jan. 2026
Their net worth keeps rising while their time to use it shrinks.
—Steve Booren, Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2026
Limiting who can buy homes shrinks the market and discourages construction.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
This project shrinks the space for legislative creativity in confronting and solving problems.
—Duncan Hosie, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
And there’s a theory on TikTok that Accutane shrinks your nose.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 12 Jan. 2026
Antarctic Ozone hole shrinks The ozone hole over Antarctica has shrunk to its fifth-smallest size in more than three decades, according to NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 26 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrinks
Verb
-
Video inflates thought; reading compresses it.—
Ryan Craig,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
This vapor layer unexpectedly acts as a cushion, ensuring the shockwave compresses the water symmetrically.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But the Oscar-winning filmmaker recoils at being called a visionary.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Some former students, including Mamdani, who signed up for Kagan’s 12th-grade AP World History class, have referred to themselves as Kaganites, a term Kagan literally recoils from.—
The Editors,
Curbed,
15 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Taking this into account, the probability of the event occurring under the alternative hypothesis decreases, making that scenario less likely.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Reduce watering during the winter as growth decreases, and increase humidity by using a humidifier.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Breathing in cold air constricts blood vessels, which elevates blood pressure and narrows coronary arteries, increasing the risk of cardiac strain.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Cold water immersion constricts blood vessels, reduces swelling, numbs sore areas, and flushes lactic acid from the muscles.—
Outside,
Outside,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Cash flinches from this cascade of consequences.—
Gideon Leek,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Sheinbaum quickly moves away and visibly flinches as the man attempts to put his arm around her.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As data center revenue starts to dominate sales, hyperscale ASIC initiatives transition into sustained volume, and customer diversification diminishes earnings variability, Marvell begins to resemble less of a cyclical component supplier and more of a structural AI infrastructure platform.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The biography is presented as a clear-eyed and evenhanded examination of Reid’s complex legacy that neither whitewashes his methods nor diminishes his accomplishments.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But oxygen on Jupiter is mostly locked away in water, which condenses deep below the visible clouds, far beyond the reach of instruments in orbit around the gas giant.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Coastal fog — which forms when moist air condenses over the cool, ocean water and drifts toward shore — then picks up water evaporating from the ocean surface, allowing methyl mercury to hitch a ride onto land.—
Daniella Garcia Almeida,
Mercury News,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Bryan winces after weighing in at 597 lbs.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
9 Dec. 2025
-
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 29 Jan. 2026.
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