What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cowered
Example
The dog cowered in the corner when the thunderstorm started. [cowered: verb]
Example
She cowered behind the couch, afraid of the intruder. [cowering: gerund or present participle]
shrink
Example
The sweater shrank in the wash and no longer fits. [shrank: past tense]
Example
He shrinks away from confrontation and avoids conflict. [shrinks: present tense]
Example
Her confidence shrank after the criticism she received. [shrink: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shrink is more commonly used than cowered in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts and can be used in both formal and informal situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cowered and shrink?
While cowered is typically associated with an informal or dramatic tone, shrink is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
