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

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

Example 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 As transistors shrank and chips grew denser, the process called for greater precision. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 The moon is shrinking, and scientists are narrowing in on exactly how much our natural satellite has dwindled over the years. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 19 Oct. 2026 Experts point to busier schedules, parenting demands, shrinking friendship networks and the appeal of at-home entertainment as some possible reasons for the decline. — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Technology’s impact on the shrinking media landscape inspired The Devil Wears Prada 2, which reunited Tucci with costars Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and his real-life sister-in-law Emily Blunt. — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shrink

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrink

Verb

How the whiplash is different now Now, the time frame is being compressed.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Full resolution can use a lot more storage There is a reason photo-sharing services have compressed images for years.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of compress

Verb

During the Wildcats' first attempt on the two-point conversion, a Kentucky player appeared to flinch, and while a flag was thrown, it was negated by a timeout called by the Wildcats.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
While Levi’s had been making a lot of noise about being a DTC-first retailer, in an interview with WWD, Gass emphasized the importance of a broad base and didn’t flinch away from what went wrong in DTC.

— Evan Clark, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of flinch

Verb

The definitive study of feedback, Avraham Kluger and Angelo DeNisi’s meta-analysis of 23,663 observations, found that over a third of feedback interventions decreased performance.

— Zaharia-Gabriel Sidere, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
These include gravitational forces, commonly known as G-forces, that increase or decrease the pressure riders feel on their bodies during rapid acceleration and deceleration.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of decrease

Verb

Headway condenses nonfiction and fiction books into 15-minute summaries that make key ideas easier to fit into your schedule.

— StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
Under their proposal, the intervening day before a vote to break a filibuster would be eliminated and debate time condensed, removing dead time from the Senate floor.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of condense

Verb

While uptight Elinor excels at hiding her feelings for the similarly taciturn Edward, Marianne goes wild (nearly feral, really) when new neighbor Willoughby saves her from physical injury (literally sweeping her off her feet and a wincing ankle).

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026
The financial bets are large enough for boards to wince at capital expenditure implications.

— Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of wince

Verb

But Uthmeier has been open about his views that religious people — Christians, particularly — have been wrongly constricted in their ability to express themselves and to participate in government programs.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
Space within the ranks of the CCP itself has similarly constricted, with few now willing to consider reforms that might seriously affect the vested interests of entrenched social groups.

— Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of constrict

Verb

Apart from a few passengers who recoil in fear or surprise, the majority remain drowsy and indifferent.

— Deadline, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
But the themes that motivate the party faithful may not sit well with independents, who tend to recoil against partisan rancor.

— Julio Borquez, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of recoil

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shrines

shrink

shrinkage

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“Shrink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrink. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of shrink

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That Shrinking Feeling

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