shrank

[shrangk] / ʃræŋk /

VERB

become smaller

Synonyms

STRONGEST

decrease diminish drop off dwindle fall off lessen narrow reduce shorten shrivel wane weaken wither

STRONG

compress concentrate condense constrict contract deflate fail waste wrinkle

WEAK

fall short grow smaller waste away

Antonyms

STRONGEST

develop enlarge expand extend grow increase lengthen raise rise strengthen

STRONG

blow up loosen stretch

WEAK

face meet take on

VERB

recoil, shy away

Synonyms

STRONGEST

recede retreat

STRONG

blench boggle contract cower cringe crouch demur flinch huddle quail refuse retire scruple shudder slink wince withdraw

WEAK

draw back hang back

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance forge

STRONG

accept allow consent face meet stretch

WEAK

develop enlarge expand grow take on

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

shrank

As continental shelves shrank, more phosphate entered the water.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 16, 2026

A tumbling stock price, however, shrank the value of those holdings by $2.4 billion last year, according to Dow Jones Market Data.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026

Medics were unable to completely remove her tumours but one shrank with radiotherapy.

From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026

The volume of Swiss glaciers shrank by 38 percent between 2000 and 2024.

From Barron's ● Jun. 27, 2026

He took a step toward her and she shrank back, no longer certain of his harmlessness—if he couldn’t talk, he might have to act.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan