to flinch

Examples

• All

• What kind of freak just stands in the middle of the road and doesn't even flinch?

  The Hitcher (2007)

• And of course, Rhett, you flinched the least, which means you have won.

• Now, I would flinch if I saw someone else doing it to a kid.

  Anything Goes With James English

• If you would not have a man flinch when the crisis comes, train him before it comes.

• I thought you might flinch.

  11:14 (2003)

• But at the same time, I flinch if someone comes in for a hug, right?

• Her audience is more likely to flinch than laugh at her errors.

  Academic text (1998)

• Of course you can't flinch from what you believe to be your duty.

  The Ox-Bow Incident (1943)

• Getting out, I close the door as softly as I can, but I flinch anyway at the noise.

  Fiction book (1991)

• Are you in charge of corporate security?" The woman flinched as if surprised by Lando's aggressive tone.

  Fiction book (1991)

Synonyms

T

to twitch

vsto flinch

66 2.8

To make a sudden small movement you cannot control, especially of a body part

is more a brief backward draw rather than a local muscle movement

S

to startle

vsto flinch

50 3.3

To move suddenly, for example by jumping, because you feel surprised

is the quick involuntary reaction itself rather than the causing event

W

to wince

vsto flinch

47 4.9

To make a quick face movement because of pain or dislike

is a fuller body draw back rather than mainly a face reaction

S

to shrink

vsto flinch

34 2.3

Move back suddenly because of fear or pain

is usually a briefer, more slight backward motion than that movement

S

to shy

vsto flinch

31 7.2

To move back suddenly because of fear or surprise

is mainly an instant involuntary pull, not ongoing avoidance behavior

R

to recoil

vsto flinch

19 4.9

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

is usually a smaller involuntary pull rather than a larger retreat

J

jump

vsto flinch

19 1.0

A sudden movement of the body caused by surprise

is specifically a slight backward recoil rather than any sudden move

J

to jolt

vsto flinch

8 4.3

To surprise someone and make them react

is the brief physical draw back, not the action that disturbs composure

C

to cringe

vsto flinch

6 5.1

To pull back quickly because you are afraid or to show you give up

is typically a quick involuntary reaction, not a lasting shrinking away

J

to jump out of one's skin

vsto flinch

• Informal

5 7.7

To be very surprised and move suddenly because of fear

is a milder, quicker movement rather than a very strong jolt

S

to squinch

vsto flinch

• Archaic

1 9.9

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

is a smaller, quicker backward movement rather than a full crouch

Antonyms

F

to face

∞ 2.2

To deal with a difficult situation or person

S

to stand firm

22 3.7

Keep your decision or opinion when others try to make you change

How Strongly

to cower

41 6.1

to recoil

19 4.9

to flinch

71 4.1

to twitch

66 2.8

Surface Forms

Etymology