Shrink: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when talking about something becoming smaller in size, often physically. It can also refer to a decrease in value or amount, but usually implies something contracting.

• The sweater shrank in the wash.
• Economic forecasts suggest that the market could shrink by 5% this year.

A versatile term used to signify making something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size. Suitable for both everyday and formal contexts.

• We need to reduce our expenses to stay within budget.
• Doctors suggest reducing sugar intake for better health.

Commonly used in formal or technical contexts to talk about reducing numbers, amounts, or intensity. It is often found in scientific, economic, or statistical reports.

• The company aims to decrease its carbon footprint by 20% over the next five years.
• There was a significant decrease in patient symptoms after treatment.

Usually implies a reduction in importance, size, or intensity, often gradually. Can have a negative connotation, suggesting something is losing value or strength.

• The influence of the monarch has diminished over time.
• His enthusiasm for the project began to diminish after several setbacks.

Typically used in an informal, often negative context to refer to a psychologist or psychiatrist. It can be a colloquial expression, sometimes carrying a dismissive tone.

• I think you should see a shrink about your anxiety
• He’s been talking to his shrink for months now

Describes a person who tends to prefer solitary activities and feels drained after social interactions. This term is neutral and can be used in various social and psychological contexts.

• John is an introvert; he likes spending time alone
• Being an introvert, she finds large parties exhausting

Refers to someone who lives in voluntary seclusion from the world. This term can suggest a more extreme form of isolation than 'hermit' and is often used to describe someone who avoids social interaction entirely.

• The author became a recluse after his last novel
• People say the old man down the street is a recluse, never leaving his house

Refers to someone who chooses to live in isolation, often for religious or philosophical reasons. It may convey a sense of peaceful seclusion or intentional withdrawal from society.

• The monk lived as a hermit in the mountains
• After retiring, she became a bit of a hermit, rarely leaving her house