51Թ

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View synonyms for

shrink

[ shringk ]

verb (used without object)

shrank or, often, shrunk shrunk or 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 or, often, shrunk shrunk or 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 Also called head shrinker. Slang. 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
  3. introften foll byfrom
    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. slang.
    a 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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Derived Forms

  • ˈ԰쾱Բ, adverb
  • ˈ԰쾱Բ, adjective
  • ˈ԰첹, adjective
  • ˈ԰, noun
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • ԰a· adjective
  • ԰iԲ· adverb
  • non·԰a· adjective
  • ԴDz·԰iԲ adjective
  • non·԰iԲ· adverb
  • v·԰ verb overshrank or, often, overshrunk overshrunk or overshrunken overshrinking
  • un·԰a· adjective
  • ܲ·԰iԲ adjective
  • un·԰iԲ· adverb
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of shrink1

First recorded before 900, and in 1955–60 shrink fordef 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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51Թ 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.

"The economy shrank – first time in three years. People are pointing to the tariff policy," Baier said.

From

The latest numbers for calendar year 2024 confirm the end of the so-called California Exodus that saw the Golden State’s population shrink for the first time in decades.

From

Political tension is increasing in Tanzania ahead of the general elections, with rights groups raising concerns over shrinking civic space, accountability, and justice.

From

The firm's latest drop in sales coincided with a contraction in the US economy, which shrank at an annual rate of 0.3% in the first three months of 2025.

From

The US economy shrank in the first three months of the year due a drop in government spending and a surge in imports as firms raced to get goods into the country ahead of tariffs.

From

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Shrinershrinkage