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
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Recent Examples of shrinks
As the pool of qualified commercial drivers shrinks, the cost of transporting goods across the state will inevitably rise.
—
Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Afterward, Boone said that all of his players are free to challenge for now, but don’t be surprised if that list shrinks once spring training games end.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
As global health funding shrinks, especially from the United States, other groups are stepping up to prepare for new and dangerous infectious diseases.
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 13 Feb. 2026
For a French restaurant in Dallas, the talent pool shrinks even smaller.
—Claire Ballor
staff Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
As the temperature difference between the Arctic and the areas further south shrinks, the jet stream, which acts as a buffer between them, gets weaker, according to Jennifer Francis of the Woodwell Climate Research Center.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
This combination shrinks the outer bark while the inner cambium freezes and expands.
—Tammie Souza, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
That’s unusual for this time of year, when inventory typically shrinks.
—Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026
Doctors monitor progression and severity of the disease by measuring the size of the left ventricle, the heart’s muscle that pumps blood to the body, which shrinks as the condition worsens.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 5 Feb. 2026
Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Afterward, Boone said that all of his players are free to challenge for now, but don’t be surprised if that list shrinks once spring training games end.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
As global health funding shrinks, especially from the United States, other groups are stepping up to prepare for new and dangerous infectious diseases.
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 13 Feb. 2026
For a French restaurant in Dallas, the talent pool shrinks even smaller.
—Claire Ballor
staff Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
As the temperature difference between the Arctic and the areas further south shrinks, the jet stream, which acts as a buffer between them, gets weaker, according to Jennifer Francis of the Woodwell Climate Research Center.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
This combination shrinks the outer bark while the inner cambium freezes and expands.
—Tammie Souza, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
That’s unusual for this time of year, when inventory typically shrinks.
—Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026
Doctors monitor progression and severity of the disease by measuring the size of the left ventricle, the heart’s muscle that pumps blood to the body, which shrinks as the condition worsens.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrinks
Verb
-
In operation, the actuator compresses and holds the Ni-Ti tubes, causing the material to heat up.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Their terahertz microscope compresses long terahertz waves into a microscopic spot.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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At some point, each of us is faced with a clingy child, a dramatic friend, a partner who recoils at the first hint of intimacy, a volatile parent or a controlling boss — in short, a difficult relationship.—
Jessica A. Stern,
The Conversation,
23 Jan. 2026
-
But the Oscar-winning filmmaker recoils at being called a visionary.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Elevated heart rate and less endurance As hydration drops, blood volume decreases, forcing the heart to work harder to maintain cardiac output.—
Katharine Gammon,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
-
As the incivility and tribalism of our politics increase, the quality of our political discourse decreases accordingly.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That’s because the physical exertion of shoveling increases heart rate and blood pressure, while at the same time the cold constricts blood vessels–a double whammy of stressors.—
Amy Feldman,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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Breathing in cold air constricts blood vessels, which elevates blood pressure and narrows coronary arteries, increasing the risk of cardiac strain.—
Manahil Ahmad,
The Providence Journal,
25 Jan. 2026
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
-
This, in my opinion, diminishes that.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
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Maybe, too, Giannis gets hurt again in March and his trade value diminishes a bit more.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This essentially condenses the air, forming clouds at the surface that could reduce visibility to less than a mile.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
-
That rising air cools, and water vapor condenses.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
4 Feb. 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 16 Feb. 2026.
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