There are a number of alternative words that can be used to convey the idea of "shrunk from" in a sentence. Some synonyms for this phrase may include recoiled, flinched, cowered, shied away, quailed, balked, or hesitated. Each of these words can be used to suggest reluctance, fear, or apprehension when facing a particular situation or challenge. Using these alternative words can help to vary your writing style and make your prose more interesting to read, While the exact choice of wording will depend on the context, using synonyms for "shrunk from" can add depth and nuance to your writing.