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

In addition, to eke out votes from lawmakers representing smaller cities, SB 79 zones shrank to a quarter mile in cities with less than 35,000 residents, compared with a half mile everywhere else.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

U.S. officials have long viewed Greenland as important to American national security interests, even though the U.S. military presence there has shrunk from 17 bases in 1945 to only one today.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Many are discouraged by shrinking job opportunities in the U.S. and the possibility of deportation even with the proper paperwork.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The retreat from India was part of a strategy to shrink the company’s global presence and focus on profitable markets, analysts said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The hooded seal has moved from Vulnerable to Endangered, while the bearded and harp seals are now Near Threatened due to shrinking sea ice.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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