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

These habitats are shrinking due to many factors including development, erosion, wildfire and sea-level rise.

Read more on Science Daily

The central bank then began shrinking its gargantuan balance sheet in June 2022 through a process known as quantitative tightening to combat high inflation and tighten financial conditions.

Read more on MarketWatch

If the ball falls in, Giménez has a single and the Dodgers’ lead shrinks to one run.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The shifting priorities are showing up in shrinking work hours.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

My real-world expert advice: Rather than getting rid of our lawns, shrink them.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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