inward-shrinking
|in-ward-shrink-ing|
🇺🇸
/ˈɪnwərd ˈʃrɪŋkɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/ˈɪnwəd ˈʃrɪŋkɪŋ/
tendency to withdraw inwardly
Etymology
'inward-shrinking' originates from the combination of 'inward,' meaning 'toward the inside,' and 'shrinking,' derived from the verb 'shrink,' which means 'to contract or withdraw.'
'Inward' and 'shrinking' have been used separately in English since the Middle Ages, but their combination as 'inward-shrinking' is a more modern construction.
Initially, 'shrink' meant 'to contract,' but in combination with 'inward,' it evolved to describe a psychological tendency to withdraw.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
characterized by a tendency to withdraw or retreat inwardly, often due to fear or anxiety.
His inward-shrinking nature made it difficult for him to speak in public.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/05/19 20:42