View synonyms for shrink

shrink

[ shringk ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used without object)

shrank or, often, shrunk shrunk or shrunken shrinking.

to draw back, as in retreat or avoidance:
to shrink from danger; to shrink from contact.
Synonyms: quail, recoil, withdraw
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.
to become reduced in extent or scope.
Antonyms: increase

verb (used with object)

shrank or, often, shrunk shrunk or shrunken shrinking.

to cause to shrink or contract; reduce.
Textiles. to cause (a fabric) to contract during finishing, thus preventing shrinkage, during laundering, of the garments made from it.

noun

an act or instance of shrinking.
a shrinking movement.
shrinkage.
Also Also called head shrinker. Slang. a psychotherapist, psychiatrist, or psychoanalyst.

shrink

/ ʃrɪŋk /

verb

to contract or cause to contract as from wetness, heat, cold, etc
to become or cause to become smaller in size
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

noun

the act or an instance of shrinking
slang.
a psychiatrist

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Derived Forms

ˈshrinkingly, adverb
ˈshrinking, adjective
ˈshrinkable, adjective
ˈshrinker, noun

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Other Words From

shrinka·ble adjective
shrinking·ly adverb
non·shrinka·ble adjective
non·shrinking adjective
non·shrinking·ly adverb
over·shrink verb overshrank or, often, overshrunk overshrunk or overshrunken overshrinking
un·shrinka·ble adjective
un·shrinking adjective
un·shrinking·ly adverb

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Word 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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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

Is it true that parts of your brain shrink when you become a mom?

From Los Angeles Times

"With the aging of a population, we also simultaneously have a shrinking of the number of people in the family, number of children, or relatives who live nearby," she explained.

From BBC

The list of people who can credibly do that with James is short, and as they age out of the league that list shrinks every season.

From Los Angeles Times

Recent figures show UK economic growth has been sluggish - not shrinking, but not growing as desired.

From BBC

"Fat people are expected to hide and shrink ourselves and not be proud," says Prof Luna.

From BBC

Related Words

Shriner shrinkage

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