shrink
verb (used without object)
to draw back, as in retreat or avoidance.
was shrinking
-
past progressiveof shrink.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
In 2006, readers learned how to properly transport snakes on a plane, and whether George W. Bush was shrinking.
From Slate ● Oct. 2, 2026
The UN's World Intellectual Property Organization said more money was going into venture capital, even as the number of VC deals was shrinking and becoming increasingly concentrated on AI firms.
From Barron's ● Sep. 29, 2026
The gap was shrinking, but Hurley’s math seemed destined to fall just a few digits short.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 30, 2026
The variations followed a smooth, wave like rhythm, and the time between each bump was shrinking rapidly.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 11, 2026
At that point the doctors liked what they saw: her cervix was a bit red and inflamed from the first treatment, but the tumor was shrinking.
From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot
