variants
or shrunk
1
as in compressed
to become smaller in size or volume through the drawing together of particles of matter
the sweater will shrink a little when washed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in recoiled
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust
shrinking back from the approaching flames
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in decreased
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
his crush on her is likely to shrink after they start their new lives on different college campuses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shrank
The Royal Navy has shrunk dramatically since the Cold War ended, with combat-ready ships declining from 166 in 1975 to 66 in 2025, following decades of military spending cuts.
—
Pan Pylas, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Those commitments come at a time when domestic drug manufacturing had shrunk significantly.
—Annika Kim Constantino,angelica Peebles, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
Even when the business appeared to be booming, the television landscape was changing as episode orders shrank and the time between seasons grew.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026
The physical design of the N6 Pro matches most modern, high-end, room-to-room portable projectors, but shrunk down to mini-projector size.
—M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026
Lines that stretched for hours last week shrank to minutes at many airports as back pay hit employees’ accounts.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
Concessions in the 2010s froze wages and weakened health and retirement benefits, and the executive branch work force shrunk by 10%.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2026
The research and manufacturing infrastructure to close those gaps quickly doesn’t currently exist at the scale this moment requires, and the workforce to deploy them has shrunk.
—Ashish K. Jha, STAT, 25 Mar. 2026
As the ranks of mental health care providers at the VA have shrunk, the department has proposed shifting billions of dollars into community care, a program in which veterans obtain health care via private physicians and other providers.
—Vernal Coleman, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
Pan Pylas, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Those commitments come at a time when domestic drug manufacturing had shrunk significantly.
—Annika Kim Constantino,angelica Peebles, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
Even when the business appeared to be booming, the television landscape was changing as episode orders shrank and the time between seasons grew.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026
The physical design of the N6 Pro matches most modern, high-end, room-to-room portable projectors, but shrunk down to mini-projector size.
—M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026
Lines that stretched for hours last week shrank to minutes at many airports as back pay hit employees’ accounts.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
Concessions in the 2010s froze wages and weakened health and retirement benefits, and the executive branch work force shrunk by 10%.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2026
The research and manufacturing infrastructure to close those gaps quickly doesn’t currently exist at the scale this moment requires, and the workforce to deploy them has shrunk.
—Ashish K. Jha, STAT, 25 Mar. 2026
As the ranks of mental health care providers at the VA have shrunk, the department has proposed shifting billions of dollars into community care, a program in which veterans obtain health care via private physicians and other providers.
—Vernal Coleman, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrank
Verb
-
While the valuation has compressed meaningfully, the company’s weakening growth profile and persistent underperformance suggest the market may still be adjusting to a lower-quality earnings outlook.—
Tony Zhang,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
-
During ejection, a moon’s orbit can become highly elongated, generating strong tidal forces as it is repeatedly stretched and compressed by its host planet.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Investors recoiled out of fears of an endless quagmire.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
When Paramount debuted a first look at the film in 2019, online commentators recoiled at the speedy hedgehog’s human teeth and odd facial features.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the past forty years, men’s wages have decreased as a percentage of over-all family income, while broader wealth inequalities and job insecurity have grown.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In two of six Minneapolis areas, overall crime decreased 43% and 56% respectively, while, in all other areas, overall crime rose.—
Eric Adler
March 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This interview has been edited and condensed.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
2 Apr. 2026
-
This story has been lightly edited and condensed for readability.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Her coach never flinched, as Kara Lawson basked in the joy of winning such a big game in a city that has embraced her.—
Joe Davidson
March 27,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Even as Michigan State came roaring back in the second half, cutting the lead to just two in the final minute, UCLA never flinched.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With a hollow interior trunk, Stumpy was among 158 trees felled in 2024 as part of a project aimed at shoring up a sea wall near the National Mall.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
25 Mar. 2026
-
And to be sure, there were winds and rain strong enough to fell several trees, flood a few roads, and knock out power in some Maryland and Virginia suburbs.—
Scott Simon,
NPR,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Some players collapsed onto the turf in joyful tears.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Estrada Juarez collapsed into her daughter’s embrace.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Forrest pushed it and winced as tear gas sprayed.—
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The issue became apparent at 4-4 in the third set, when Alcaraz winced after stretching for a volley and a match that had appeared a foregone conclusion spun on its axis.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shrank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrank. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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