retreat vs shrink

retreat

verb
  • To withdraw from a position, go back. 

  • To slope back. 

  • To withdraw military forces 

  • To shrink back due to generally warmer temperatures. 

  • a retreating forehead 

noun
  • A peaceful, quiet place affording privacy or security. 

  • The act of reversing direction and receding from a forward position. 

  • A bugle call or drumbeat signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset, as on a military base. 

  • A military ceremony to lower the flag. 

  • The move of a piece from a threatened position. 

  • A period of retirement, seclusion, or solitude. 

  • A period of meditation, prayer or study. 

  • The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant. 

  • A signal for a military withdrawal. 

  • Withdrawal by military force from a dangerous position or from enemy attack. 

shrink

verb
  • To draw back; to withdraw. 

  • To cause to become smaller. 

  • To withdraw or retire, as from danger. 

  • To move back or away, especially because of fear or disgust. 

  • To cower or flinch. 

  • To become smaller; to contract. 

noun
  • A psychiatrist or psychotherapist. 

  • Shrinkage; contraction; recoil. 

  • Loss of inventory, for example due to shoplifting or not selling items before their expiration date. 

How often have the words retreat and shrink occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )