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.

With Friday’s update, Raman’s share had risen to 25% and Pratt’s shrank to 28%, for a 3 percentage point gap.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026

The economy 21-country eurozone shrank 0.2 percent compared to the previous three-month period, according to the EU's statistics agency, which had earlier estimated first quarter growth to be near-flat at 0.1 percent.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

Ancient rivers crossed a greener environment, feeding shallow lakes that grew and shrank over time.

From Science Daily • May 16, 2026

Massachusetts is steadily losing more domestic movers than it is gaining, and Boston shrank slightly in the last measured year.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Half the crowd surged forward, and half of it shrank back.

From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack