Meaning & use
shrink
Last updated
to become or make smaller in size, amount, or value.
See it in a sentence
The wool sweater shrank after being washed in hot water.
The company's market share has shrunk over the past decade.
A note on using this word
As informal slang, 'a shrink' refers to a psychiatrist or therapist; this usage is casual and can sound slightly dismissive, so it's best avoided in formal writing.
Words with a similar meaning
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Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. noun
an informal term for a psychiatrist or psychotherapist
He joked that his shrink knew him better than his family did.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “shrink”, then compare your use with the examples above.