Meaning & use
Shrinking
Last updated
Becoming smaller in size, amount, or extent, or drawing back timidly.
See it in a sentence
The polar ice caps are shrinking at an alarming rate.
She gave a shrinking smile and stepped back from the crowd.
A note on using this word
The phrase 'shrinking violet' describes an extremely shy or timid person, drawing on the flower's modest, low-growing habit.
Words with a similar meaning
contractingdiminishing
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
growingexpanding
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