shrank away
Retreated in fear
Shrank away means to have withdrawn or moved away, often in a gradual or subtle manner: he shrank away from the responsibility.
- avoidanceDeliberate keeping away
- fearEmotional response to threat
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- fight or flightThreat-triggered physiological state
- flinchInvoluntary retreat from threat
cringe · withdraw · pulled back · backed off · anxiety · cower · drew back · vulnerability · danger · dread · insecurity · defensiveness · retreat · turned tail · unease · rejection · self-preservation · trepidation
courage/fear response
shrank awayconfronted
Challenged or opposed directly
stood up to · braved · defied · stared down · challenged
social engagement
shrank awayreached out
Made an attempt to contact
confronted · stood tall · engaged · embraced · leaned into
shrank, away, shrink, shrinks, shrinking, shrunk, shrunken, shrinkage, shrinkable