缩
shrink; withdraw; curl up
Meanings
3 senses · 15 examplesverb
to shrink; contract; shorten
Used for physical substances, fabrics, or quantities that decrease in size.
This sweater shrank after one wash.
Thermal expansion and contraction is a common physical phenomenon.
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The teacher asked us to shorten our essay word count by half.
This fabric will not shrink when exposed to water.
Metals will contract at low temperatures.
verb
tuck in; retract
Used for body parts or objects that are pulled back into a covering or space.
Turtles will retract their heads into their shells when in danger.
When it's cold, he always tucks his hands into his sleeves.
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The kitten curled up into a ball sunbathing.
He shrank his shoulders from nervousness.
Don't hunch your neck, stand tall and walk!
verb
hold back; retreat; falter
Used for social or competitive situations, often describing fear or hesitation.
Don't retreat when facing difficulties, face them bravely.
He was not daunted by the challenge and took the initiative to take on the task.
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The coach criticized the team members for retreating during the game.
We cannot back down on issues of principle.
He chose to hide from pressure.