shrinking
Reducing in size
Shrinking describes something becoming smaller or the process of reduction itself.
Fabric shrinks in hot water; economies shrink during recessions.
A shrinking violet is someone timid or retiring—the phrase is almost always ironic.
As a noun, shrinking refers to the process: The shrinking of the ice caps continues.
Shrink alone is slang for psychiatrist.
Become or make smaller
- lessenReduce in degree
- declineDecrease or refuse
- dwindleDecrease gradually over time
- waneDecrease gradually
subside · ebb · fade · taper · reduce · contract · compress · shrivel
Make smaller in degree
- simmerCook just under boiling
- concentrateReduced, potent form
- sauceLiquid food accompaniment
- stockGoods kept for sale
glaze · reduction · thicken · deglaze · jus · broth · intensify · evaporate
Backward force from discharge
- cowerShrink back in dread
- cringeShrink from discomfort
- flinchInvoluntary retreat from threat
- withdrawRemove or pull away
shy · retreat · hesitate · balk · quail · wince · blench · timidity
Plant fiber for textiles
- woolSheared animal fiber
- laundryItems needing cleaning
- washClean using liquid
- fabricWoven or knit material
garment · felting · sizing · fit · denim · linen · dryer · clothing
Curative mental treatment
- psychoanalysisTreatment via unconscious exploration
- FreudianOf unconscious-mind theory
- therapistMental health practitioner
- regressionReturn to former state
repression · transference · neurosis · anxiety · trauma · ego · unconscious · violet
decrease
Become or make smaller
wane · subside · ebb · fade · taper · reduce · contract · compress · shrivel · wither
reduce
Make smaller in degree
- simmerCook just under boiling
- concentrateReduced, potent form
- sauceLiquid food accompaniment
stock · glaze · reduction · thicken · deglaze · jus · broth · intensify · evaporate
recoil
Backward force from discharge
withdraw · shy · retreat · hesitate · balk · quail · wince · blench · timidity · apprehension
cotton
Plant fiber for textiles
fabric · garment · felting · sizing · fit · denim · linen · dryer · clothing
therapy
Curative mental treatment
- psychoanalysisTreatment via unconscious exploration
- FreudianOf unconscious-mind theory
- therapistMental health practitioner
regression · repression · transference · neurosis · anxiety · trauma · ego · unconscious · violet · wallflower
- decliningdeclining, waning, fading, diminishing, decreasing
- deformingbending, twisting, warping, curving, folding
- Deteriorationdecay, rot, degradation, deterioration, corrosion
- gradual declinefading, waning, dwindling, diminishing, ebbing
- laundry problemsstains, fading, wrinkles, lint, holes
- magical transformationshapeshifting, metamorphosis, polymorph, transfiguration, transmogrification
shrinkingexpanding
Growing in scope
growing · enlarging · increasing · swelling · stretching
shrinkingbold
Courageous and daring
assertive · confident · courageous · intrepid · unshrinking
- shrinking violetExtremely timid person
- shrinking awayWithdrawing out of fear
- shrinking world
- shrinking backWithdrawing from perceived threat
- shrinking transistors
- head shrinkingReducing skulls ceremonially