shrink

13 synonyms and 4 antonyms for shrink, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To become or make smaller.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

contract reduce

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

funk cringe psychiatrist

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

dwindle recoil flinch shrivel quail wither squinch wince

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To become or make smaller.

“The wool sweater shrank in the wash.”

contract dwindle recoil flinch shrivel quail wither squinch reduce funk cringe wince

Opposites

expand grow enlarge stretch

2. noun

A psychiatrist or psychotherapist (informal).

“He's been seeing a shrink twice a week since the accident.”

psychiatrist

How to use shrink

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

shrink in the wash shrink from responsibility see a shrink

"Shrink" for a therapist is casual slang, not appropriate in formal or clinical writing.

Etymology

From Old English scrincan ("to shrink, wither"); the "psychiatrist" sense is a shortening of "headshrinker."

Full origin of shrink →

Frequently asked questions

What does “shrink” mean?

The word “shrink” means to become or make smaller. In plain terms, to get smaller, to flinch away from something, or, informally, a therapist.

How do you pronounce “shrink”?

“Shrink” is pronounced SHRIHNGK (/ˈʃɹɪŋk/ in IPA).

How do you use “shrink” in a sentence?

Here is “shrink” used in a sentence: “He's been seeing a shrink twice a week since the accident.”

What is the opposite of “shrink”?

The opposite of “shrink” — its antonyms — are expand, grow, enlarge and stretch.

What part of speech is “shrink”?

Depending on how it is used, “shrink” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “shrink” come from?

The word “shrink” comes from Old English. From Old English scrincan ("to shrink, wither"); the "psychiatrist" sense is a shortening of "headshrinker.".

Is “shrink” a common word?

“Shrink” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “shrink” have?

“Shrink” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to become or make smaller.

What is the difference between "shrink" and "shrivel"?

"Shrink" means to become or make smaller in a general sense, while "shrivel" specifically implies shrinking with wrinkling, often from drying out or aging. Fabric can shrink in the wash, but fruit shrivels as it loses moisture.

Why is "shrink" used to mean a psychiatrist?

"Shrink" is an informal, sometimes irreverent term for a psychiatrist or psychotherapist. It is casual slang and best avoided in formal or clinical writing, where "psychiatrist" or "therapist" is more appropriate.

What does it mean to "shrink" from something?

To "shrink" from something means to draw back or flinch, especially out of fear or discomfort, as in "she shrank from the confrontation." This is distinct from the physical sense of becoming smaller.

People also searched

contract grow reduce expand stretch psychiatrist funk enlarge cringe recoil dwindle quail

Nearby words

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