as in afraid
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in revulsion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in diminishing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in compressing
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in recoiling
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust
shrinking back from the approaching flames
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in decreasing
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
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 shrinking
Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
Mature markets like California, Colorado, and Oregon are shrinking in sales and tax revenue.
—Andrew Deangelo, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
While hot water can help break down oils and grease, cold water is gentler on fabrics and helps prevent shrinking or fading, which is important for preserving the longevity of your sheets.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2024
Newsweek spoke to therapist and head of relationships at Paired, Aly Bullock, about why the issue is pressing for these generations, who may face shrinking social circles due to health challenges, retirement, or changes in family dynamics.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
Poor performance, shrinking market share, or stagnant growth are harder to conceal, especially in an economic climate supported by a strong stock market in 2023 and continued growth in 2024.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Slower growth in China and weaker stock markets in Europe played a role in shrinking the fortunes of hundreds of billionaires.
—Julie Goldenberg, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
Technology miniaturisation is moving fast in the audio world as surface mount speakers and tiny microphones mean electronic devices are still shrinking as performance expands.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Starbucks With sales shrinking in its biggest markets, Starbucks poached Chipotle Mexican Grill star CEO Brian Niccol to turn around the coffee chain’s fortunes, replacing Laxman Narasimhan.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
The pool of available CPAs has been shrinking as Baby Boomers and some Gen Xers retire.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
Mature markets like California, Colorado, and Oregon are shrinking in sales and tax revenue.
—Andrew Deangelo, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
While hot water can help break down oils and grease, cold water is gentler on fabrics and helps prevent shrinking or fading, which is important for preserving the longevity of your sheets.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2024
Newsweek spoke to therapist and head of relationships at Paired, Aly Bullock, about why the issue is pressing for these generations, who may face shrinking social circles due to health challenges, retirement, or changes in family dynamics.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
Poor performance, shrinking market share, or stagnant growth are harder to conceal, especially in an economic climate supported by a strong stock market in 2023 and continued growth in 2024.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Slower growth in China and weaker stock markets in Europe played a role in shrinking the fortunes of hundreds of billionaires.
—Julie Goldenberg, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
Technology miniaturisation is moving fast in the audio world as surface mount speakers and tiny microphones mean electronic devices are still shrinking as performance expands.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Starbucks With sales shrinking in its biggest markets, Starbucks poached Chipotle Mexican Grill star CEO Brian Niccol to turn around the coffee chain’s fortunes, replacing Laxman Narasimhan.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrinking
Adjective
-
In need of a way to raise funds, but afraid of the political consequences of implementing new taxes, state lawmakers opted to experiment with a lottery.Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
-
Some children might regress to an earlier stage of development, becoming afraid of going to school and leaving their parents.Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Today, the last of those profiles is being taken down amid waves of viral revulsion as word of their existence has spread online.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 3 Jan. 2025
-
The origin story of his revulsion involves a late-night infomercial for a stick blender.Josh Miller, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
From Dickinson to Colton Dach, who was making his NHL debut, to Nolan Allan and much of the lineup, the Blackhawks weren’t timid.Scott Powers, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
-
Usually, a player who has been injured for that long will come in and be timid and not want to do anything too crazy.Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Western governments and much of the world recoil at the idea of a jihadist Syria.Paul du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
-
This recoil was detected by watching for a change in how light scattered off the silica, which allowed the physicists to identify the exact moment a nucleus decayed.Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The crossbody bag option, meanwhile, is less constricting and makes a stylish statement piece on top of any casual outfit.Clint Davis, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Dec. 2024
-
But his refusal to adhere to facts isn’t constricting.Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 25 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
However, as the FOMC has cut interest rates since last summer, that risk though material today, is diminishing.Simon Moore, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
-
The consequences could be catastrophic for content creators, diminishing their web traffic and revenue potential.Marc McCollum, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
For the 34th time in two years cops have been called by frightened neighbors or Hollis herself to quell the volcanic quarrels inside Peppermill Apartments unit B-312.Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025
-
My friends were confused by my abrupt stop and the frightened and befuddled look on my face — except for one, whose eyes were also bulging wide.Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
Read Next Florida Shelter thought dog was scared — but something else was wrong.Simone Jasper, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2025
-
Advertisement Thirty years ago, Blake was himself a scared kid.Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near shrinking
Cite this Entry
“Shrinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrinking. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share