1
as in to compress
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to flinch
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust
shrinking back from the approaching flames
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to decrease
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shrink
The market for small, low-cost smartphones is shrinking, and users now demand more from their devices − bigger screens, better cameras, and faster performance.
—
Jennifer Jolly, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
The University of Kansas shrunk its Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging and assigned its leader new job responsibilities following pressure from Republican state lawmakers last year, according to previous Star reporting.
—Taylor O’Connor, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2025
The company’s Vision AI solutions are designed to minimize shrink, streamline operations and deliver a better customer experience.
—Alexandra Pastore, WWD, 27 Feb. 2025
With consumers’ homes as collateral, the company’s cards offer a lower interest rate than on normal, unsecured credit cards, while its data and tech shrink the normal HELOC approval time.
—Jeff Kauflin, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrink
Jennifer Jolly, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
The University of Kansas shrunk its Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging and assigned its leader new job responsibilities following pressure from Republican state lawmakers last year, according to previous Star reporting.
—Taylor O’Connor, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2025
The company’s Vision AI solutions are designed to minimize shrink, streamline operations and deliver a better customer experience.
—Alexandra Pastore, WWD, 27 Feb. 2025
With consumers’ homes as collateral, the company’s cards offer a lower interest rate than on normal, unsecured credit cards, while its data and tech shrink the normal HELOC approval time.
—Jeff Kauflin, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrink
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrink
Verb
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In court, his lawyers argued that officers compressed his chest with their body weight, leading him to asphyxiate.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacramento Bee,
6 Mar. 2025
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Short bursts around the black hole are likely caused by disturbances in the disk—compressing plasma to produce a temporary flash of radiation.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Lions were still losing, sure, but Campbell wasn’t flinching.—
Zak Keefer,
The Athletic,
15 Jan. 2025
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In the 18th episode of the show’s current season, the baller whose team is hoping to become the first NFL squad to win three Super Bowls in a row at the big game on Feb. 9 doesn’t flinch while reading a question about friendship bracelets.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The analysis found spending on metformin, an older first-line oral drug for Type 2 diabetes that's available as a generic, decreased 5% over the five years studied, to $623 million.—
Adriel Bettelheim,
Axios,
25 Feb. 2025
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Unlike widening, which decreases the cost of driving and thus causes demand to rebound, congestion pricing regulates the cost of driving in a particular area or lane to tamp down on traffic, Burris explains.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity and concision.—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
3 Mar. 2025
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The conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.—
Chris Perugini,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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By the end of the performance, Andress could be seen tilting her head down, wincing.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
5 Mar. 2025
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The rapper could be seen slapping Rhodes hard on the side of the face, and Rhodes winced as soon as he was hit.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The absence of Ayo Dosunmu — who is dealing with shoulder discomfort from a long-term injury — further diminished the Bulls roster.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
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This mercenary approach diminishes U.S. influence, undermines international norms, and sacrifices strategic interests for short-term gains.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The governor called for reversing gun reforms adopted in the wake of the 2018 Parkland massacre, further constricting the process for getting constitutional amendments on the ballot and finding a way to lower or even get rid of property taxes.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
Orlando Sentinel,
4 Mar. 2025
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Our society would benefit from a clear road map for who men can be, but one that constricts masculinity to the narrow example set by tech billionaires—and realistically one only accessible to those afforded similar opportunities—only harms men.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In the trailer, Baldwin recoils in shock after being told that Hutchins did not survive the shooting.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
26 Feb. 2025
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When Johnson was elected in early 2023, Chicago and the rest of the nation were still recoiling from the trauma of the pandemic, school and business lockdowns, and waves of street violence.—
Will Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrink. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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