to shrink

Examples

• All

• Wash your new sweater in cold water, or it will shrink in size.

• When l get in water, they just shrink up.

  Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003)

• And so then the star starts to shrink in on itself.

  Dr. Becky

• These two little red rings actually shrink around the wire.

• Their range has shrunk by 41 percent in the last decade alone.

  Academic text (2008)

• Most things shrink when you squish them, like this sponge here.

• Alaska's financial problems are a result of shrinking natural resources and lack of economic diversification.

  Academic text (1992)

• Three years later, however, the enlisted force had shrunk to about 1,300,000.

  Academic text (1998)

• Forests cover one-third of the earth's land surface, but they have shrunk by 2.3 percent since 1990.

  Academic text (2002)

• True, according to official figures, Russia's economy has shrunk an average of 5.4 percent per year since 1991.

  Academic text (2000)

Synonyms

R

to reduce

vsto shrink

∞ 1.6

To make something smaller in amount, size, or number

is narrower, focusing on physical objects rather than abstract decrease

D

to decrease

vsto shrink

231 2.0

To make something smaller in amount or size

emphasizes physical size change often caused by heat or moisture

C

to contract

vsto shrink

51 3.0

Become smaller or tighter, for example when a muscle shortens

focuses on physical size change often without tightening or restriction

C

to compress

vsto shrink

43 3.7

To press something so it takes less space

refers to size loss often from heat or drying rather than pressure

S

to shrivel

vsto shrink

26 4.4

To become smaller, dry, and wrinkled because it loses water

covers general physical reduction often by heat as well as drying

S

to shrivel up

vsto shrink

17 3.5

Become small, dry, and wrinkled because it loses water

is broader size loss not limited to wrinkling from drying

D

to draw

vsto shrink

2 8.4

Become smaller after washing or heat

is the general physical size reduction often due to heat or moisture

M

to minify

vsto shrink

1 8.4

To make something smaller so it uses less space or time

is the common physical reduction often from heat, moisture, or drying

Antonyms

E

to expand

917 2.5

To grow larger in size, amount, or importance

S

to stretch

267 1.0

Make something longer or wider by pulling it

E

to enlarge

67 3.0

To make something bigger in size or amount

Phrasal Verbs

S

to shrink from

11 5.1

Avoid doing something difficult or unpleasant because you are afraid

S

to shrink back

• Informal

4 4.7

Move away because you are afraid or disgusted

Compounds

S

shrink-wrap

8 3.2

A thin clear plastic film that shrinks when heated around products

S

shrink ray

4 9.9

A made-up machine that makes people or things much smaller

S

shrink-wrap

• Jargon

1 6.8

A set of terms included with a product that you must accept before use

S

shrink-wrapped software

1 5.2

Software sold in a box and sealed in clear plastic for use on computers

How Small

to shrivel

26 4.4

to shrink

134 1.8

to contract

51 3.0

to reduce

∞ 1.6

Surface Forms

Etymology