shrink

[ shringk ]

verb (used without object)

, shrank [shrangk] or, often, shrunk [shruhngk]; shrunk or shrunk·en [shruhng, -k, uh, n]; shrink·ing.

1. to draw back, as in retreat or avoidance:

   to shrink from danger; to shrink from contact.

   Synonyms: quail, recoil, withdraw

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: increase

verb (used with object)

, shrank [shrangk] or, often, shrunk [shruhngk]; shrunk or shrunk·en [shruhng, -k, uh, n]; shrink·ing.

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

/ ʃrɪŋk /

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

noun

1. the act or an instance of shrinking
2. slang.
   a psychiatrist

Derived Forms

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

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

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”

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

Synonym Study

See wince ¹. See decrease.

Example Sentences

The spinoff could also increase pressure on talent salaries, which are under scrutiny across all TV news organizations that are facing shrinking audiences.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s unlikely that the pot of money shrinks and I think there’s even a possibility it could increase,” he predicted.

From Los Angeles Times

But the data clearly shows Ukraine’s control of the region is shrinking.

From BBC

While not every specimen is complete, we can now trace the increase in size of the head and neck, the elongating wrist, shrinking toe and tail and other features step-by-step across multiple groups.

From Science Daily

Large budget cuts or plummeting morale could still shrink the science office.

From Science Magazine

Related Words

• decrease
• diminish
• drop off
• dwindle
• fall off
• lessen
• narrow
• reduce
• shorten
• shrivel
• wane
• weaken
• wither