しぼむ

Alternative writings: 萎む, 凋む
JLPT:N2
Frequency:
1

To wither, wilt, or sag (as flowers); to deflate or shrink (as a balloon); also used figuratively for hopes or enthusiasm fading. Usually written in kana.

U-VerbIntransitive VerbUsually Kana

Examples

朝は元気だった花が夕方にはしぼんでいた。

The flowers that were lively in the morning had wilted by evening.

夢がしぼむのを感じて、彼はため息をついた。

He sighed, feeling his dream deflate.

針で風船を刺してしまい、中の空気が抜けてしぼんだ。

I accidentally punctured the balloon with a pin, and it deflated.

期待がどんどんしぼんでいった。

My expectations slowly faded away.

Word Relationships

Derivations
Masu-Formしぼみます
Nai-Formしぼまない
Ta-Formしぼんだ
Te-Formしぼんで
Ba-Formしぼめば
Volitional Formしぼもう
Imperative Formしぼめ
Potential Formしぼめる
Passive Formしぼまれる
Causative Formしぼませる
Causative Passive Formしぼませられる