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

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

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

“With higher costs for housing, healthcare, longer lifespans and our own increased spending, all that can shrink that million dollars.”

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Momentum’s “alpha” advantage has not only shrunk — over the past two decades, it has hovered near zero.

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The stock is down over 50% since late July, and its premium relative to its Bitcoin holdings has shrunk to about 1.15 times from about 2.

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The study, published November 12 in Nature Photonics, points toward future technologies that could operate faster, use less energy, and shrink to even smaller sizes.

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So sports betting isn’t shrinking in America — only certain prop bets are.

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Related Words

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