flinch

verb

ˈflinch 

flinched; flinching; flinches

intransitive verb

: to withdraw or shrink from or as if from pain : wince

He flinched when he was presented with the car repair bill.

also : to tense the muscles involuntarily in anticipation of discomfort

I cannot help flinching when I hear the dentist's drill.

flinch noun

flincher noun

Synonyms

• wince
• recoil
• cringe

Choose the Right Synonym for flinch

recoil, shrink, flinch, wince, blench, quail mean to draw back in fear or distaste.

recoil implies a start or movement away through shock, fear, or disgust.

recoiled at the suggestion of stealing

shrink suggests an instinctive recoil through sensitiveness, scrupulousness, or cowardice.

shrank from the unpleasant truth

flinch implies a failure to endure pain or face something dangerous or frightening with resolution.

faced her accusers without flinching

wince suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction (such as a start or recoiling).

winced in pain

blench implies fainthearted flinching.

stood their ground without blenching

quail suggests shrinking and cowering in fear.

quailed before the apparition

Examples of flinch in a Sentence

He flinched when I tapped him on the shoulder.

She met danger without flinching.

The bill was much higher than expected, but he paid it without flinching.

Recent Examples on the Web

Your stronger body will give you the confidence that comes from moving without flinching. —Dana Santas, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025

These images of an expanding Kong appeared on the screen and the actors on stage in front of it flinched in horror as the dwarfing image of Kong’s bigness loomed menacingly behind them. —Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025

The last time Congress faced a deadline to extend government funding, Senate Democrats flinched, giving Republicans the votes needed to avert a government shutdown without extracting any concessions. —Nik Popli, Time, 4 Sep. 2025

Share relevant proof that mirrors their situation, name your price without flinching, and close with one clear question. —Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French flenchir to bend, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle High German lenken to bend, Old High German hlanca flank — more at lank

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for flinch

• cinch
• finch
• inch
• lynch
• pinch
• synch
• winch
• bullfinch
• goldfinch

Kids Definition

flinch

verb

ˈflinch 

: to draw back from or as if from physical pain : wince

flinch noun

flincher noun