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.

The decline in the unemployment rate came with an asterisk: The labor force shrank by nearly 400,000 people, meaning fewer Americans were counted as unemployed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

The private gauge showed that new export orders slipped back into contraction last month after strong growth in February, and employment levels shrank again as service providers continued to adjust staffing to control costs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

While Huawei regained its position as the top seller of smartphones in China last year, the overall domestic market shrank in 2025, according to the US-based International Data Corporation.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

The data also show New York City shrank for the first time in three years, though the much larger metro area grew.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Two of the lamassus, Shere Khan and Simba, had been torn free of the harness and were lying on the floor, mewling pitifully as they shrank back into their cat forms.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda