shrink
verb (used without object)
to draw back, as in retreat or avoidance.
have shrunk
-
present perfectof shrink.present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Overall sales of new cars have shrunk in recent years with about a million buyers opting out—and car owners keeping their old vehicles for longer than ever—as average prices hover around $50,000.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 1, 2026
And in Vologda, Nikolai, a motorist who declined to give his surname, said "more stations have started working again, and petrol deliveries have become more frequent. Naturally, the queues have shrunk".
From Barron's ● Jul. 18, 2026
Many large companies already have shrunk their offices or given up on downtown, including Deloitte and KPMG.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026
In 2025, employment in the U.S. would have shrunk if not for healthcare.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 4, 2026
Aunt Petunia had decided it must have shrunk in the wash and, to his great relief, Harry wasn’t punished.
From "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling
