shrink

To become smaller in size or amount.

• This shirt shrinks in hot water.
• The lake shrank during the dry summer.
• Our savings have shrunk since we moved.

How to use it: shrink to something (The group shrank to just five members.); shrink by something (The population shrank by ten percent.)

Similar words: contract, decrease

Opposites: grow, expand

Common phrases: shrink in size, shrink by half, shrink over time

To make something smaller in size or amount.

• Heat can shrink this fabric.
• She shrank the image to fit the page.
• Can we shrink the budget without cutting staff?

How to use it: shrink something to something (I shrank the photo to half its original size.)

Similar words: reduce

Opposites: enlarge, expand

Common phrases: shrink an image, shrink something down, shrink something to

To move back or make your body smaller because you are frightened or uncomfortable.

• The boy shrank back in fear.
• She shrank away when he reached for her.
• He shrank into a corner as the shouting grew louder.

How to use it: shrink back from someone/something (The child shrank back from the barking dog.); shrink away from someone/something (She shrank away from his hand.)

Similar words: cower, flinch, recoil

Common phrases: shrink back, shrink away, shrink from someone

A doctor or therapist who helps people with mental health problems.

• He sees a shrink every week.
• My shrink helped me manage my fear.
• She has spoken to several shrinks about her problems.

Similar words: therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist

Common phrases: see a shrink, talk to a shrink, my shrink