SHRINK Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'shrink' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of shrink are compress , condense , constrict , contract , and deflate . While all these words mean "to decrease in bulk or volume," shrink implies a contracting or a loss of material and stresses a falling short of original dimensions. // the sweater will shrink when washed

Q: When would 'compress' be a good substitute for 'shrink'?

The meanings of compress and shrink largely overlap; however, compress implies a pressing into a small compass and definite shape usually against resistance. // compressed cotton into bales

Q: When might 'condense' be a better fit than 'shrink'?

The synonyms condense and shrink are sometimes interchangeable, but condense implies a reducing of something homogeneous to greater compactness without significant loss of content. // condense the essay into a paragraph

Q: When could 'constrict' be used to replace 'shrink'?

Although the words constrict and shrink have much in common, constrict implies a tightening that reduces diameter. // the throat is constricted by a tight collar

Q: When can 'contract' be used instead of 'shrink'?

The words contract and shrink can be used in similar contexts, but contract applies to a drawing together of surfaces or particles or a reduction of area or length. // caused her muscles to contract

Q: In what contexts can 'deflate' take the place of 'shrink'?

While the synonyms deflate and shrink are close in meaning, deflate implies a contracting by reducing the internal pressure of contained air or gas. // deflate the balloon

shrink

verb

ˈshriŋk

Definition of shrink next

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

as in to flinch

to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust shrinking back from the approaching flames

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word shrink different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of shrink are compress, condense, constrict, contract, and deflate. While all these words mean "to decrease in bulk or volume," shrink implies a contracting or a loss of material and stresses a falling short of original dimensions.

the sweater will shrink when washed

When would compress be a good substitute for shrink?

The meanings of compress and shrink largely overlap; however, compress implies a pressing into a small compass and definite shape usually against resistance.

compressed cotton into bales

When might condense be a better fit than shrink?

The synonyms condense and shrink are sometimes interchangeable, but condense implies a reducing of something homogeneous to greater compactness without significant loss of content.

condense the essay into a paragraph

When could constrict be used to replace shrink?

Although the words constrict and shrink have much in common, constrict implies a tightening that reduces diameter.

the throat is constricted by a tight collar

When can contract be used instead of shrink?

The words contract and shrink can be used in similar contexts, but contract applies to a drawing together of surfaces or particles or a reduction of area or length.

caused her muscles to contract

In what contexts can deflate take the place of shrink?

While the synonyms deflate and shrink are close in meaning, deflate implies a contracting by reducing the internal pressure of contained air or gas.

deflate the balloon

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of shrink Steroid injections: Corticosteroid injections may help shrink inflamed lumps and provide quick relief from pain and swelling. —

Lindsay Curtis, Health, 24 Dec. 2024 Biden’s 35-point lead among young women over Trump in 2020 shrunk to a 24-point lead for Harris this year, per an NBC News exit poll. —

Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 24 Dec. 2024 Yes, but: Past performance is no guarantee of future results — especially as climate change shrinks the length of snow seasons in parts of the country, changing the odds of a white Christmas over time. —

Erin Alberty, Axios, 23 Dec. 2024 Working on independent films has often been a labor of love, with long days and little pay, but with budgets shrinking, the doing-more-with-less mentality had crossed the line into being exploitative. —

Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shrink

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrink

Verb

The musical spans more than two decades and compresses them into a show that lasts little more than two hours.

Katie Marie Davies, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Dec. 2024
The optic nerve seems to then compress it down to about 100 million bits/sec.

Michael Irving, New Atlas, 18 Dec. 2024