shrink

1 of 2

verb

ˈshriŋk

especially Southern ˈsriŋk

shrank ˈshraŋk

ˈsraŋk

or shrunk ˈshrəŋk

ˈsrəŋk

; shrunk or shrunken ˈshrəŋ-kən

ˈsrəŋ-

; shrinking

Synonyms of shrink next

intransitive verb

: to contract or curl up the body or part of it : huddle, cower

: to contract to less extent or compass

: to become smaller or more compacted

: to lose substance or weight

: to lessen in value : dwindle

: to recoil instinctively (as from something painful or horrible)

shrank from the challenge

: to hold oneself back : refrain

did not shrink from telling the truth

transitive verb

: to cause to contract or shrink

specifically : to compact (cloth) by causing to contract when subjected to washing, boiling, steaming, or other processes

shrinkable

ˈshriŋ-kə-bəl

ˈsriŋ-

adjective

shrinker noun

shrink

2 of 2

noun

: the act of shrinking

: shrinkage

[short for headshrinker] : a clinical psychiatrist or psychologist

Choose the Right Synonym for shrink

contract, shrink, condense, compress, constrict, deflate mean to decrease in bulk or volume.

contract applies to a drawing together of surfaces or particles or a reduction of area or length.

caused her muscles to contract

shrink implies a contracting or a loss of material and stresses a falling short of original dimensions.

the sweater will shrink when washed

condense implies a reducing of something homogeneous to greater compactness without significant loss of content.

condense the essay into a paragraph

compress implies a pressing into a small compass and definite shape usually against resistance.

compressed cotton into bales

constrict implies a tightening that reduces diameter.

the throat is constricted by a tight collar

deflate implies a contracting by reducing the internal pressure of contained air or gas.

deflate the balloon

recoil, shrink, flinch, wince, blench, quail mean to draw back in fear or distaste.

recoil implies a start or movement away through shock, fear, or disgust.

recoiled at the suggestion of stealing

shrink suggests an instinctive recoil through sensitiveness, scrupulousness, or cowardice.

shrank from the unpleasant truth

flinch implies a failure to endure pain or face something dangerous or frightening with resolution.

faced her accusers without flinching

wince suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction (such as a start or recoiling).

winced in pain

blench implies fainthearted flinching.

stood their ground without blenching

quail suggests shrinking and cowering in fear.

quailed before the apparition

Examples of shrink in a Sentence

Verb The sweater shrank when it was washed. Meat shrinks as it cooks. The town's population shrank during the war. Hot water shrank the sweater. The treatment should shrink the tumor. He shrank in horror when he saw the dead cat. Noun He is seeing a shrink.

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Verb

If all four Democratic gains stand, the GOP majority in the Senate would shrink to 18-15. —

Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024 Twenty-two years later, that overwhelming majority had shrunk to 37%, according to census data cited by a city dashboard. —

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024

Noun

When stores began reopening, retailers underestimated their shrink rate, Baker said. —

Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 13 Sep. 2024 Nat, a shrink and father of two who is so annoying, like all of these children. —

Rachel Handler, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shrink

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English scrincan; akin to Middle Dutch schrinken to draw back

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of shrink was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Articles Related to shrink

gold balloons and glitter on dark background

Words From 1921: 100 Years Old and...

From goons to abominable snowmen

What's the Past Tense of 'Shrink'?

Shrink, shrank, shrunk...shrinked?

That Shrinking Feeling

Shrinkflation

Cite this Entry

Style

“Shrink.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrink. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

shrink

1 of 2 verb

ˈshriŋk

shrank ˈshraŋk

or shrunk ˈshrəŋk

; shrunk or shrunken ˈshrəŋ-kən

; shrinking

: to curl up or withdraw in or as if in fear or pain

shrink in horror

: to make or become smaller

shrink cloth by washing

meat shrinks in cooking

shrinker noun

shrink

2 of 2 noun

slang

: psychiatrist

Medical Definition

shrink

noun

ˈshriŋk

: a clinical psychiatrist or psychologist

called also headshrinker

Last Updated: 23 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

victuals

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

shrink

verb

noun

Synonyms

Examples of shrink in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near shrink

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition