as in to flinch
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust
winced at the movie's graphic depiction of combat injuries
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of wince
Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Other examples would make a Soviet propagandist wince.
—Will Collins, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Not to mention wincing in pain any time another museum donation gets shipped off.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wince
Verb
Viktor Hovland was called a disgusting term by a fan during an otherwise quiet moment around one green, causing the gallery to wince and groan.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Other examples would make a Soviet propagandist wince.
—Will Collins, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
Immediately, Moore was on the ground and wincing in pain.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Not to mention wincing in pain any time another museum donation gets shipped off.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wince
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wince
Verb
-
Skubal, apparently flinching with the noise, balked for only the second time in his career.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The coaches trust the 6-foot-3, 265-pound defensive end from Sugarland, Texas, to do his thing, even if coaches initially flinch at his intentions.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Then the judges each made their trademark grimace.—
Laura Vazquez,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
-
And there are photos that 247Sports dug up from past Manning throws, even dating to his high school days, that show the grimace.—
Sam Khan Jr,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Some recoiled at the launch and others quit their positions.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Americans are recoiling from the Democratic Party, and even in blue states like Colorado, Democrats are feeling the burn.—
The Denver Post Editorial Board,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Chris’s kids noticed how his smile melted into a frown.—
Juli Fraga,
Time,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The two facial expressions are literally inversions of each other — as the song says, a smile is just a frown turned upside down.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
While some may cringe at the idea of carving pumpkins and hanging twinkling lights on the same day, starting your shopping early could be the secret to enjoying the holiday season more this year.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
16 Sep. 2025
-
It's not cringe to care about something and try!—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Children can quickly detect their parent’s stress by the tone in their voice or the expression on their face, such as a furrowed brow or a scowl.—
Juli Fraga,
Time,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Klára tries to keep him away but Berend, a sweaty, sour beast of a man who wears a permanent scowl, insistently shoves his way into the household.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The scents of soy, garlic, and mirin made Charlie’s stomach growl.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Sep. 2025
-
This is the diplomatic equivalent of a low growl signaling rising frustration.—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In her trademark cat-eye glasses, with her bitter-lemon moue, Hoffman, as Moth, is comedy just standing there; Harada, as Mustardseed, a warmth machine.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
24 Oct. 2021
-
Not just any moue, either, but a supermoue—a whole cultural attitude distilled into a single boffff.—
Anthony Lane,
The New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Wince.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wince. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share