n. 25B6; verb
the number of competitors shrank : GET SMALLER, become/grow smaller, contract, diminish, lessen, reduce, decrease, dwindle, decline, fall off, drop off.
he shrank back against the wall : DRAW BACK, recoil, back away, retreat, withdraw, cringe, cower, quail.
he doesn't shrink from naming names : RECOIL, shy away, demur, flinch, have scruples, have misgivings, have qualms, be loath, be reluctant, be unwilling, be averse, fight shy of, be hesitant, be afraid, hesitate, baulk at; archaic disrelish something.
expand, increase.