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
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
This is tied to a low‑hire, low‑fire labor market, the rapid automation of entry‑level roles, and a tech industry whose workforce is getting older as Gen Z’s presence shrinks.
—
Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 3 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
Rick Moranis plays a genius inventor whose miniaturization device accidentally shrinks his children to a quarter of an inch.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025
Cooper shrinks the width of the pocket with power off one edge.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 Dec. 2025
And when competition shrinks, consumers and creators lose.
—Joseph M. Singer, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2025
The bill also shrinks the current six-year statute of limitations for challenging a permit decision to 150 days.
—Garrett Downs, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025
The impacts of climate change on the bears' food sources and hibernation cycles has been cited by experts as a key factor, but there are also implications as Japan's aging population shrinks and humans abandon more rural areas.
—CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
Researchers believe as the lake shrinks, there is less room for dolphins, putting them at greater risk of collision with boats and ferries.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 3 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
Rick Moranis plays a genius inventor whose miniaturization device accidentally shrinks his children to a quarter of an inch.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025
Cooper shrinks the width of the pocket with power off one edge.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 Dec. 2025
And when competition shrinks, consumers and creators lose.
—Joseph M. Singer, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2025
The bill also shrinks the current six-year statute of limitations for challenging a permit decision to 150 days.
—Garrett Downs, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025
The impacts of climate change on the bears' food sources and hibernation cycles has been cited by experts as a key factor, but there are also implications as Japan's aging population shrinks and humans abandon more rural areas.
—CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
Researchers believe as the lake shrinks, there is less room for dolphins, putting them at greater risk of collision with boats and ferries.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrinks
Verb
-
The Cosmic Pathway compresses 13 billion years of history into a single 360-foot-long ramp.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The new system compresses that capability into a device spanning just a few square centimeters, without sacrificing power, pulse duration, or bandwidth.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
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
-
This risk decreases as the storm moves away.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Prescribed medication is used to manage discomfort, which usually decreases noticeably after the first week.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Alzheimer’s disease drugs Caffeine constricts blood vessels and tightens the blood-brain barrier, potentially limiting how much Alzheimer’s medication reaches the brain and reducing its therapeutic benefit.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
5 Oct. 2025
-
If Weiler’s construction provides the opportunity to see a series of fine actors at work with delicate tête-à-têtes, the neatness of the structure constricts some of the feeling.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Sheinbaum quickly moves away and visibly flinches as the man attempts to put his arm around her.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Snakes must move incredibly quickly to sink their fangs into prey before the victim flinches.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
When two parties are aware of a major issue that diminishes an asset and do not inform the third party of that asset, that’s strong grounds for a lawsuit.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The vapor then condenses into liquid water inside a vacuum condenser.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Poetry condenses our chaotic emotions into words, giving form to formlessness.—
K.J.S. “Sunny” Anand,
Time,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In a video of the incident, Tricia lets out a loud scream and winces as the champagne drips from her hair, into her eyes and onto her face.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Lina winces at the sound of Jaya munching on an apple, made worse by the static on the line.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrinks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrinks. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share