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
The economy had shrunk almost to nothing, and sanctions levied by the United States and Europe were weighing it down even further.
—
Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
And because the market will have shrunk, studios won’t be able to replace this loss with streaming revenue.
—Joseph M. Singer, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
Today, the number of GE employees in Schenectady has shrunk dramatically.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
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
Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
And because the market will have shrunk, studios won’t be able to replace this loss with streaming revenue.
—Joseph M. Singer, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
Today, the number of GE employees in Schenectady has shrunk dramatically.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrunk
Verb
-
When the surface of the skin is touched, compressed, or struck, these sensors convert mechanical force into electrical signals.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Feb. 2026
-
When investors have less confidence in future growth, the P/E will get compressed.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
But over that same span, the number of boys playing flag football actually decreased.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Short-term rates have come down as the Federal Reserve decreased the federal funds rate, but the central bank opted to pause rate cuts in January.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Johnson felt nauseated and his chest constricted, forcing the breath from his lungs.—
Jesse Bedayn,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Pluralism is gradually constricted.—
Alejandro Reyes,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 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
-
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
-
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
-
Police and city leaders declined to comment on her claims when approached by CNN.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The driver and the bicyclist, who was struck, declined to be taken to the hospital.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As the researchers increased the dose of the medication, however, Mary’s appetite vanished.—
Dhruv Khullar,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Over the past decade, opportunities for young people to gather and socialize have nearly vanished, outside of organized sports.—
Claire Benedict,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shrunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrunk. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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