become smaller

VERB

contract

Synonyms

STRONGEST

consume decline decrease narrow reduce shrink weaken

STRONG

abate abbreviate abridge clench compress confine constrict curtail deflate dwindle ebb edit epitomize evaporate lessen lose omit purse recede shrivel subside syncopate tighten wane waste wither wrinkle

WEAK

draw in fall away fall off grow less take in

Antonyms

STRONGEST

develop enlarge expand grow increase raise strengthen

STRONG

add amplify blow up extend free lengthen let go loose loosen open prolong release rise save

WEAK

break off dilate disagree give spread stretch

VERB

diminish

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abate curtail decline decrease dwindle ebb lessen lower recede reduce shrink slacken subside temper wane weaken

STRONG

abbreviate attenuate close contract cut depreciate drain extenuate minify moderate retrench shrivel taper

WEAK

die out fade away peter out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

develop enlarge expand extend grow increase prolong raise rise strengthen

STRONG

amplify lengthen

WEAK

compliment flatter praise

VERB

dwindle

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abate decay decline decrease die down diminish drop ebb fade fall lessen peter out shrink shrivel sink subside wane weaken wither

STRONG

bate close contract drain pine taper

WEAK

die away die out grow less slack off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ascend develop enhance enlarge expand extend go up grow improve increase prolong raise rise strengthen

WEAK

save swell

VERB

lessen

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abate curtail decrease dilute diminish dwindle ease erode impair lighten minimize mitigate narrow shrink slacken taper off weaken

STRONG

abridge amputate attenuate clip close contract crop cut de-escalate decline degrade downsize drain minify moderate soft pedal taper thin truncate

WEAK

cut back die down grow less roll back slack up slow down take the bite out take the edge off take the sting out wind down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

develop enlarge expand extend grow increase intensify irritate lengthen prolong strengthen worsen

STRONG

go up rise stretch

WEAK

raise

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.

It was designed to stop electricity from leaking as transistors shrink to microscopic levels, ultimately allowing chips to become smaller, faster, and more efficient.

From Barron's • Jun. 25, 2026

Over the years, these events have become smaller, and some of us would like to move away from hosting celebrations at home and instead go out to eat at a nice restaurant.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 7, 2026

"By integrating everything on one piece of silicon, we've shown how brain interfaces can become smaller, safer, and dramatically more powerful," Shepard says.

From Science Daily • Dec. 9, 2025

“Maybe now, it’s not as good as in the U.S., but the gap will become smaller and smaller,” Ma Xiaoxiao, China’s deputy consul general in New York, said at a news conference last week.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 12, 2025

The bandage had become smaller, but it still covered all signs of injury.

From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin

become smaller

Example Sentences

Related Words