shrink

[shringk]

verb (used without object)

shrank, shrunk, shrunk, shrunken, shrinking. 

1. to draw back, as in retreat or avoidance.

   to shrink from danger; to shrink from contact.

   Synonyms: quail, recoil, withdraw

2. to contract or lessen in size, as from exposure to conditions of temperature or moisture.

   This cloth will not shrink if washed in lukewarm water.

3. to become reduced in extent or scope.

   Antonyms: increase

verb (used with object)

shrank, shrunk, shrunk, shrunken, shrinking. 

1. to cause to shrink or contract; reduce.

2. Textiles.,  to cause (a fabric) to contract during finishing, thus preventing shrinkage, during laundering, of the garments made from it.

noun

1. an act or instance of shrinking.

2. a shrinking movement.

3. shrinkage.

4. Also called head shrinker. Slang.,  Also a psychotherapist, psychiatrist, or psychoanalyst.

shrink

/ ʃrɪŋk /

verb

1. to contract or cause to contract as from wetness, heat, cold, etc

2. to become or cause to become smaller in size

3. 1. to recoil or withdraw

      to shrink from the sight of blood

   2. to feel great reluctance (at)

      to shrink from killing an animal

noun

1. the act or an instance of shrinking

2. slang,  a psychiatrist

Other Word Forms

• shrinkingly adverb
• shrinking adjective
• shrinkable adjective
• shrinker noun
• nonshrinkable adjective
• nonshrinking adjective
• nonshrinkingly adverb
• overshrink verb
• unshrinkable adjective
• unshrinking adjective
• unshrinkingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of shrink¹

First recorded before 900, and in 1955–60 shrink for def. 9; Middle English schrinken, Old English scrincan; cognate with Middle Dutch schrinken, Swedish skrynka “to shrink,” Norwegian skrukka “old shrunken woman”

Word History and Origins

Origin of shrink¹

Old English scrincan; related to Old Norse skrokkr torso, Old Swedish skrunkin wrinkled, Old Norse hrukka a crease, Icelandic skrukka wrinkled woman

Synonym Study

See wince ¹. See decrease.

Example Sentences

Fed Chair Jarome Powell said earlier this month that the end of the central bank’s long-running effort to shrink the size of its holdings may be coming into view.

Read more on MarketWatch

LNG plants work by cooling natural gas until it becomes a liquid, which shrinks its volume and makes it easier to transport by ship.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Although organic memristors are still in their early stages, scientists aim to refine cultivation methods and shrink device sizes in future work.

Read more on Science Daily

Crime rates have dropped, homeless tent encampments that block sidewalks and bedevil retail businesses have shrunk and foot traffic and transit ridership have risen.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

As most regions continue to warm, the window of viable performance for many species could shrink.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• decrease 
• diminish 
• drop off 
• dwindle 
• fall off 
• lessen 
• narrow 
• reduce 
• shorten 
• shrivel 
• wane 
• weaken 
• wither