shrank
ˈshraŋk 
ˈsraŋk
or shrunk
ˈshrəŋk
ˈsrəŋk
; shrunk or shrunken
ˈshrəŋ-kən
ˈsrəŋ-
; shrinking
2
a
: to contract to less extent or compass
b
: to become smaller or more compacted
c
: to lose substance or weight
d
: to lessen in value : dwindle
3
a
: to recoil instinctively (as from something painful or horrible)
shrank from the challenge
b
: to hold oneself back : refrain
did not shrink from telling the truth
: to cause to contract or shrink
specifically
: to compact (cloth) by causing to contract when subjected to washing, boiling, steaming, or other processes
shrinker
noun
Examples of shrink in a Sentence
Verb
The sweater shrank when it was washed.
Meat shrinks as it cooks.
The town's population shrank during the war.
Hot water shrank the sweater.
The treatment should shrink the tumor.
He shrank in horror when he saw the dead cat.
Noun
He is seeing a shrink.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024
Twenty-two years later, that overwhelming majority had shrunk to 37%, according to census data cited by a city dashboard.
—Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 13 Sep. 2024
Nat, a shrink and father of two who is so annoying, like all of these children.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shrink 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
If all four Democratic gains stand, the GOP majority in the Senate would shrink to 18-15.
—Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024
Twenty-two years later, that overwhelming majority had shrunk to 37%, according to census data cited by a city dashboard.
—Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
Noun
When stores began reopening, retailers underestimated their shrink rate, Baker said.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 13 Sep. 2024
Nat, a shrink and father of two who is so annoying, like all of these children.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shrink
Dictionary Entries Near shrink
Cite this Entry
“Shrink.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrink. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shrink
1 of 2 verb
shrank
ˈshraŋk
or shrunk
ˈshrəŋk
; shrunk or shrunken
ˈshrəŋ-kən
; shrinking
or shrunk
ˈshrəŋk
; shrunk or shrunken
ˈshrəŋ-kən
; shrinking
1
: to curl up or withdraw in or as if in fear or pain
shrink in horror
2
: to make or become smaller
shrink cloth by washing
meat shrinks in cooking
shrinker
noun
shrink
2 of 2 noun
slang
Medical Definition
shrink
noun
: a clinical psychiatrist or psychologist
called also headshrinker
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