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View synonyms for

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: , ,
  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:


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

/ ʃɪŋ /

verb

  1. to contract or cause to contract as from wetness, heat, cold, etc

  2. to become or cause to become smaller in size

    1. to recoil or withdraw

      to shrink from the sight of blood

    2. to feel great reluctance (at)

      to shrink from killing an animal

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the act or an instance of shrinking

  2. slanga psychiatrist

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • shrinkable adjective
  • shrinkingly adverb
  • nonshrinkable adjective
  • nonshrinking adjective
  • nonshrinkingly adverb
  • overshrink verb
  • unshrinkable adjective
  • unshrinking adjective
  • unshrinkingly adverb
  • ˈ԰쾱Բ adverb
  • ˈ԰쾱Բ adjective
  • ˈ԰첹 adjective
  • ˈ԰ noun
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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”
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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
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Synonym Study

See wince 1. See decrease.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

An early lead shrunk across four innings on a muggy afternoon.

From

The move could shrink access to health care for some of the nation’s poorest and most vulnerable people, warn analysts, patient advocates, and Democratic political leaders.

From

In February, Burgum issued an order that many saw as opening the door to potentially eliminating or shrinking monuments.

From

The UK economy shrunk by more than expected in April as taxes rose for firms, household bills increased and exports to the US plunged.

From

"Right now, what we're seeing is a lot of rhetoric of catastrophe, either overpopulation or shrinking population, which leads to this kind of exaggerated response, and sometimes a manipulative response," says Dr Kanem.

From

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Shrinershrinkage