wince

wince

verb \ˈwin(t)s\

wincedwinc·ing

Definition of WINCE

intransitive verb

: to shrink back involuntarily (as from pain) : flinch

— wince noun

Examples of WINCE

1. <winced at the movie's graphic depiction of combat injuries>

Origin of WINCE

Middle English wynsen to kick out, start, from Anglo-French *wincer, *guincer to shift direction, dodge, by-form of guenchir, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German wenken, wankōn to totter — more at wench

First Known Use: circa 1748

Related to WINCE

Synonyms: blench, cringe, quail, recoil, shrink, squinch, flinch

Related Words: blanch, pale, whiten; quake, quiver, shake, shudder, tremble; crouch; jerk, start, twitch; recede, retire, retreat, withdraw; falter, hesitate, reel, waver

Near Antonyms: advance, approach, near; beard, challenge, confront, defy, face

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See Synonym Discussion at recoil

Rhymes with WINCE

mince, rinse, since