Shrinking from refers to the action of recoiling or backing away from something due to fear, doubt, or reluctance. Some common synonyms for shrinking from include hesitating, flinching, shying away, withdrawing, retreating, avoiding, evading, and shirking. Each of these words carries slightly different connotations, but they all suggest some level of apprehension or reluctance to confront a challenging situation or take on a daunting task. Using synonyms for shrinking from can help add variety and nuance to your writing, making it more engaging and impactful.