variants
or shrunken
1
as in compressed
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 flinched
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust
shrinking back from the approaching flames
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in decreased
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 shrunk
In June of last year the average time on hold before speaking to an agent was 20 minutes, that shrunk to an all-time low of seven minutes in September.
—
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
The Lower Basin once used all that the 1922 interstate compact awarded it and has had to cut back already as the supply has shrunk.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 31 Jan. 2026
As digital distractions, from texting, social media, breaking news, work, and more, increasingly encroach on our lives, our average attention span — the length of time a person is able to concentrate mentally on a specific activity — has shrunk.
—Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
The light is then guided using ultra-precise mirrors and reflected off a mask containing the pattern for one layer of the chip, which is then shrunk and projected onto a silicon wafer.
—Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
Over the last 10 years, the number of private attorneys in Mecklenburg County willing to represent indigent clients has shrunken dramatically.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 28 Jan. 2026
But, as unions and non-evangelical churches have shrunk, the left has turned to a different strategy.
—Charles Duhigg, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
All of this could devastate an American auto industry that has already shrunk a lot over the decades.
—Patrick George, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
The recruitment pool has shrunk dramatically.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
The Lower Basin once used all that the 1922 interstate compact awarded it and has had to cut back already as the supply has shrunk.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 31 Jan. 2026
As digital distractions, from texting, social media, breaking news, work, and more, increasingly encroach on our lives, our average attention span — the length of time a person is able to concentrate mentally on a specific activity — has shrunk.
—Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
The light is then guided using ultra-precise mirrors and reflected off a mask containing the pattern for one layer of the chip, which is then shrunk and projected onto a silicon wafer.
—Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
Over the last 10 years, the number of private attorneys in Mecklenburg County willing to represent indigent clients has shrunken dramatically.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 28 Jan. 2026
But, as unions and non-evangelical churches have shrunk, the left has turned to a different strategy.
—Charles Duhigg, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
All of this could devastate an American auto industry that has already shrunk a lot over the decades.
—Patrick George, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
The recruitment pool has shrunk dramatically.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrunk
Verb
-
When investors have less confidence in future growth, the P/E will get compressed.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Peak earning windows are compressed.—
Jasmine Browley,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But as his show became a pop culture punchline and an enduring ratings force, Povich says the person closest to him never flinched.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Adi flinched but passed it to him.—
Jonathan Miles,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After three months of highs, pepper spray use and violent incidents sharply decreased at the end of the year.—
Jason Henry,
Daily News,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Dublin, Pleasanton and Livermore schools are all grappling with multi-million dollar budget deficits in the 2026-27 school year, with the districts citing declining enrollment and decreased state and federal funding as having created budget holes that will likely lead to difficult decisions.—
Kyle Martin,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Low oil prices stem from a glut of oil alongside relatively slow global economic growth, which has constricted demand for fossil fuels.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Despite a committed turn, Jack’s perspective is even more constricted than Anna’s.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Brendan Mcdermid | Reuters Software stocks on Thursday slid deeper into an ongoing intense sell-off this year as investors recoiled from the sector on growing fears that artificial intelligence could upend many firms' business models.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The citizenry has broadly recoiled; her killing, in addition to being a human tragedy, has been a public relations disaster for the administration.—
Michelle Goldberg,
Mercury News,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The mood around EVs can be attributed to many factors, such as the loss of federal tax credits in 2025; the end of emissions waivers and revenues from carbon credits; and diminished aftermarket values as consumers fear battery degradation and anticipate quickly evolving technologies.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
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Davie’s successor will inherit an organization wrestling with its place in a media ecosystem dominated by overseas tech giants, as well as battling enemies closer to home, with conservative politicians and media proprietors wishing to see the BBC diminished during charter renewal.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The panel declined to rule on whether switchblades should be considered arms protected by the Second Amendment and ruled instead that California’s prohibition can remain in place because there are a sufficient number of historically similar laws banning other types of knives and bladed weapons.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Aubuchon declined an interview with The Enquirer via media relations firm Strategic Advisers.—
Jolene Almendarez,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Melody and the child's father, Rico Garrett, vanished weeks after the fire.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
An avid outdoorsman who vanished off North Carolina’s Outer Banks was terminally ill, according to family members.—
Mark Price
January 26,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shrunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrunk. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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