1
as in to compress
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 to flinch
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust
shrinking back from the approaching flames
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to decrease
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 shrink
Acronyms and jargon illegible to civilians are flying everywhere, and the world effectively shrinks down to a two-story duplex the Americans have commandeered and the market across the street viewed almost exclusively through a sniper’s scope.
—
Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2025
This amounted to a first quarter that shrank 1.1 percent against the same period in 2024, and down almost 6 percent against 2023.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 17 Apr. 2025
Total global trade will now shrink 0.2%, the organization expects, compared to a 2.7% growth forecast without tariffs.
—Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2025
Like Wells, many business owners are thinking of pulling back: perhaps shrink the store's selection so there's less to ship, freeze hiring, pause advertising or developing new products — stop growing and go into survival mode.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrink
Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2025
This amounted to a first quarter that shrank 1.1 percent against the same period in 2024, and down almost 6 percent against 2023.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 17 Apr. 2025
Total global trade will now shrink 0.2%, the organization expects, compared to a 2.7% growth forecast without tariffs.
—Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2025
Like Wells, many business owners are thinking of pulling back: perhaps shrink the store's selection so there's less to ship, freeze hiring, pause advertising or developing new products — stop growing and go into survival mode.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrink
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrink
Verb
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Streaming services compress the audio more vigorously than is common in physical media, which can cause problems with intelligibility.—
Samuel Axon,
ArsTechnica,
25 Apr. 2025
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Treatment for groin strains includes rest, icing, compressing the affected area, and taking pain medications.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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When confronted with this new, harsh reality, our state didn’t flinch.—
Wes Moore,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Apr. 2025
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Yes, there will be some wins, at least from an optics perspective, but especially with China neither Trump nor Xi wants to be the first to flinch.—
Chuck Jones,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The number of Jesuits globally has steadily decreased since the 1960s, when there were more than 36,000.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
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As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.—
Shannon Carpenter,
CNN Money,
18 Apr. 2025
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All responses have been edited and condensed for clarity.—
Liza B. Zimmerman,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Some of the players around the vice president winced.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
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Its owner Lorenzo Porro winced when the conversation turned to a looming trade war.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The previous six champions were all diminished the following season by either injuries or significant roster changes.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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But the same things that prevent parents from maintaining employment or housing — especially substance abuse and mental illness — often inhibit them from engaging in services, while also diminishing their ability to protect and care for their children.—
Emily Putnam-Hornstein and Naomi Schaefer Riley,
Twin Cities,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Despite this figure representing a fraction of Los Angeles County's 3.7 million homes, the housing loss has severely constricted rental supply.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
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At close distances, its angle of view is noticeably constricted, so the frame blooms when shifting focus.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Within hours, markets recoiled, and prediction platforms began pricing in a grim new outlook.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Apr. 2025
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Upon contact, Goldberg recoiled, and Sara Haines clutched her own chest after being hit with emotional shrapnel.—
Joey Nolfi,
EW.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrink. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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