to cringe

Examples

• All

• De L'Isle cries out in pain and cringes visibly, backing away as Angelique advances on him.

  Fiction book (1996)

• Edna kneels by the strange girl, who cringes with fear.

  Fiction book (1999)

• No one will see you cringe when you feel fear!

  Dracula: The Impaler (2013)

• It's a powerful feeling, to watch others cringe in fear.

  The Haunting Hour: Don't Think About It (2007)

• You cringe in front of him like a worm.

  Shadows and Fog (1991)

• Anybody who touches me, I cringe.

  Tyrannosaurus Azteca (2007)

• The glancing blow made Paskaal cringe and nearly fall.

  Fiction book (1998)

• Patrick cringes and throws a handful of pretzels at her.

  Fiction book (1999)

• Dmitri tries to act very manly as he puts the ice on his nose, but cringes with the cold.

  Fiction book (1997)

• Withdrawing behind a mini feathered tree, Bernice cringes and stifles her wet screams.

  Watch Out (2008)

Synonyms

F

to flinch

vsto cringe

71 4.1

Move back quickly because of pain, fear or surprise

is more about backing away from fear or showing submission

W

to wince

vsto cringe

47 4.9

To make a quick face movement because of pain or dislike

involves a fuller bodily withdrawal caused by fear or submission

C

to cower

vsto cringe

41 6.1

To bend down or move back because you are afraid

adds the idea of yielding or submission to that physical retreat

S

to shrink

vsto cringe

34 2.3

Move back suddenly because of fear or pain

describes a backward withdrawal tied especially to fear or submission

R

to recoil

vsto cringe

19 4.9

To move quickly backward because of fear, pain, or disgust

is more about withdrawing from fear with a submissive tone

C

to cower in fear

vsto cringe

2 6.8

To shrink back and crouch because you feel very afraid

is similar but can be less extreme and more about yielding

S

to shrink back

vsto cringe

• Informal

1 4.7

Move away because you are afraid or disgusted

focuses mainly on fear or submission rather than general disgust

Q

to quail

vsto cringe

• Formal

1 8.6

To feel afraid and move back from something

stresses a physical backward movement tied to fear or submission

S

to squinch

vsto cringe

• Archaic

1 9.9

To pull part of your body back when you feel pain or fear

is focused on moving back because of fear or yielding to threat

T

to turtle up

vsto cringe

• Informal

9.8

To become quiet and avoid people when feeling stressed or afraid

refers specifically to physical backing away from fear or submission

Antonyms

F

to face

∞ 2.2

To deal with a difficult situation or person

A

to advance

417 3.4

To help something move forward or become better

Compounds

C

cringe-worthy

• Informal

4 7.3

Making you feel embarrassed or awkward

C

cringe culture

• Literature

8.6

A social habit of criticizing or making fun of people for things seen as embarrassing, making others avoid sharing

How Strong

to cower

41 6.1

to shrink back

• Informal

1 4.7

to cringe

6 5.1

to flinch

71 4.1

to pull back

162 3.4

Surface Forms

Etymology