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shrink

1 syllable · also shrank, shrunk, shrunken

Quick answer

As a verb, shrink means cause to become smaller. As a noun, it means shrinkage.

Meanings of shrink

14 meanings

To cause to become smaller.
“The dryer shrank my sweater.”
To become smaller; to contract.
“This garment will shrink when wet.”
To cower or flinch.
“Molly shrank away from the blows of the whip.”
To draw back; to withdraw.
figurativelyTo withdraw or retire, as from danger.
To move back or away, especially because of fear or disgust.
Wither, as with a loss of moisture
“The fruit dried and shriveled”
Similar: shrivel, shrivel up, wither
Draw back, as with fear or pain
“she flinched when they showed the slaughtering of the calf”
Similar: flinch, squinch, funk, cringe, wince, recoil
Reduce in size; reduce physically
“Hot water will shrink the sweater”
“Can you shrink this image?”
Similar: reduce
Decrease in size, range, or extent
“His earnings shrank”
“My courage shrivelled when I saw the task before me”
Similar: shrivel

Shrinkage; contraction; recoil.
slangsometimes pejorativeA psychiatrist or psychotherapist.
“You need to see a shrink, you crazy fool.”
“My shrink said that he was an enabler, bad for me.”
businessLoss of inventory, for example due to shoplifting or not selling items before their expiration date.
A physician who specializes in psychiatryperson
Similar: psychiatrist, head-shrinker