to wince
47
4.9
- verb
- /wɪns/
:
hacer una mueca
- He winced when he accidentally touched the hot stove.
- make someone wince
- wince at the thought
And that's when I winced and said, sweetie, slow down.
- And that's when I winced and said, sweetie, slow down.
- With it came a carrion stench that made him wince and Wretch.
- Some people feel like maybe a small snap, but I mean, I didn't try this on James and he doesn't wince whatsoever.
- But after a while, the sort of wincing faces of people that feel bad for you, it may get on your nerves again.
- Ha ha ho ho, great burst that made him wince and blink.
- But so people kind of wince when I say I'm a traditional old school lefty in terms of I hold certain views on equality and money and class.
- I will be wincing because the pain medication has not quite kicked in yet.
- And I just kind of, I just wince and it's like, so psychopaths don't have that at all.
- I actually wasn't sure if it's a lemon or onions, but that didn't make me wince though this one.
- It's like not it's like not easy to take down like you, you like wince like you're taking a shot.
Examples
-
She winced at the thought of having to give a speech in front of the large crowd.
-
The clicks from the dial are so loud he winces and turns down the volume.
Fiction book (1991) -
And you know, you, you read about this stuff and it's you, you wince reading about it.
-
Or does the very thought of it Make you wince?
-
It's the two and a half minutes standing right in it which makes me wince.
-
And I know you're gonna wince when I say this...
-
A sudden inrush of fresh air made me wince and shut my eyes.
Fiction book (1991) -
His fingers dug into my skin and I winced, but kept my mouth shut.
-
Jill turns and makes a dash for the open door, wincing at the pain in her leg.
Fiction book (1990) -
Why didn't you say so?" The man closed his eyes, winced, and opened them.
Fiction book (1990)
Synonyms
71
4.1
Move back quickly because of pain, fear or surprise
29
4.4
To twist your face to show pain, disgust, or a forced smile
19
4.9
To move quickly backward because of fear, pain, or disgust
18
3.2
Move parts of your face to show dislike, pain, or to be funny
1
5.5
Make a face to show dislike or discomfort
Antonyms
How Intense
Surface Forms
Etymology
Wince comes from an old word meaning 'to close the eyes', similar to wink, and it describes that quick, backing-away reaction we make to pain or fear. That's why to wince is to make a sudden face or movement when something hurts or upsets you.