to shrink

Examples

• All

• They shrink from the idea of fighting mere slaves, especially a man like Crassus.

  Spartacus (1960)

• He did not love our lives so much as to shrink from death.

  Rumors of Wars (2014)

• And if you press that spot, people will shrink, they will run away.

• Because at the same time, I want these people to feel people shrink back from them.

  Shawn Ryan Show

• I wanted to shrink back, to not make her situation so stark.

  Academic text (2009)

• We're full of dread and we shrink and we shrink and we shrink.

  DoctorRamani

• Once around the corner, I paused, shrinking back against the wall to avoid notice.

  Fiction book (1991)

• Suddenly, Krystin realized that she was shrinking back, heading for the shadows of an alleyway.

  Fiction book (1992)

• The subtle crush of greenery confirms his discovery, and he shrinks back, crouching.

  Academic text (2007)

• When the loud noise startled him, he couldn't help but shrink back in fear.

Synonyms

F

to flinch

vsto shrink

64 4.1

Move back quickly because of pain, fear or surprise

is specifically a sudden backward reaction to fear or pain

C

to cower

vsto shrink

44 6.1

To bend down or move back because you are afraid

is more about a sudden step back from fear or pain

R

to recoil

vsto shrink

25 4.9

To move quickly backward because of fear, pain, or disgust

is a sudden backward movement mainly from fear or pain

C

to cringe

vsto shrink

23 5.1

To pull back quickly because you are afraid or to show you give up

focuses more on an immediate backward movement from fear or pain

S

to shrink back

vsto shrink

• Informal

4 4.7

Move away because you are afraid or disgusted

is similar but emphasizes sudden movement as a reaction to pain

Q

to quail

vsto shrink

• Formal

2 8.6

To feel afraid and move back from something

is mainly a quick physical retreat in response to fear or pain

C

to cower in fear

vsto shrink

2 6.8

To shrink back and crouch because you feel very afraid

is more about moving back quickly as a reflex to fear or pain

C

to cower at

vsto shrink

2 7.2

To move back and make your body smaller because you are afraid of something

is focused on sudden backward movement caused by fear or pain

S

to squinch

vsto shrink

• Archaic

1 9.9

To pull part of your body back when you feel pain or fear

is more about a quick backward movement from fear or pain

Antonyms

A

to approach

559 2.1

To move closer in space to a person or thing

A

to advance

382 3.4

To help something move forward or become better

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 Withdrawn

to cower

44 6.1

to recoil

25 4.9

to shrink

38 2.3

to flinch

64 4.1

to twitch

79 2.8

Surface Forms

Etymology