shrink verb
1 become smaller
ADV. dramatically | a little, slightly | further | fast, rapidly competing in a market that is shrinking fast | gradually, slowly | steadily
PREP. by Their profits shrank by 4% last year. | from, to Their share of the market has shrunk from 14% to 5%.
PHRASES shrink in size Households have been shrinking in size but increasing in number.
2 move away
ADV. a little He shrank a little at the sight of the blood. | away, back
VERB + SHRINK try to
PREP. against He shrank back against the wall. | in She shrank back in terror. | into I shrank back into the shadows. | from She shrank from his touch.