Definition of cringe
cringed
;cringing
intransitive verb
1 : to draw in or contract one's muscles involuntarily (as from cold or pain) … we cringe under the blasting wind … — Charles S. Houston
2 : to shrink in fear or servility The terrified animal cringed in the corner.
3 : to behave in an excessively humble or servile way beggars cringing to tourists for money
4 : to recoil in distaste Americans cringed … at the use of a term now regarded as a slur — William Safire
cringer
nounIndulge Your Inner Word Nerd
Examples of cringe in a Sentence
Many English teachers cringe when their students use the word “ain't.”
I always cringe when I hear that song.
Just the thought of eating broccoli makes me cringe.
The dog cringed at the noise.
Recent Examples of cringe from the Web
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While some might cringe at the thought of such a concoction – after all, the famous Jack in the Box taco can be a divisive food – I thought it made perfect sense.
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The slippery baby in the plastic blue tub cringes when her daddy, holding a drippy orange washcloth, leaks a bit of water in her face.
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This is the one who cringed every time Donald Trump did something cruel, vulgar or misogynistic.
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Dr. Chung cringes a little, but acknowledges there are similarities.
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Blessed with searing groundstrokes that resonated especially well on clay courts, Stewart, who grew up in Miami, also possessed a work ethic that would make competitors cringe.
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Mr. Kirk said, referring to Senator Richard J. Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat, who was sitting two seats away and cringed mildly at the word choice.
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The ain’t might have made grammarians cringe, but everyone else knew that this new American way of talking was all about breaking rules and cutting corners.
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These would be complex and subtle questions about love for an adult reader—let alone for a young reader who still cringes in discomfort at witnessing the mildest of on-screen kisses.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cringe'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of cringe
Middle English crengen; akin to Old English cringan to yield, Middle High German krank weak
First Known Use: 13th century
Synonym Discussion of cringe
Recent Examples of cringe from the Web
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Tender, riotous, cringe-inducing, and occasionally obscene, Clare Barron’s play borrows its script from her own teen-age diaries.
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In the clip, which is just over two minutes long and will make any parent cringe, the 2-year-olds can be seen in their footie pajamas attempting to climb on top of the six-drawer dresser via the two middle drawers that are pulled out.
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Any nursery should suit the little occupant, but a cuteness overload can make grown-ups cringe.
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A look at some of the historic, amusing and cringe-inducing events of the race between Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
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After the plan to acquire the sculpture was announced last year, some critics called the artwork’s childlike theme cringe-inducing.
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His biceps are stringily well-defined; also, the shirt makes her cringe.
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But Mr. Ryan took the stage less as a swaggering adversary than a beleaguered middle manager in a workplace cringe comedy.
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Watch the whole amazingly cringe-worthy event above, and please, for all of our sakes, respect the artistry and presence of goddess Adele.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cringe'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of cringe
see 1cringe
First Known Use: 1597
CRINGE Defined for English Language Learners
cringe
playDefinition of cringe for English Language Learners
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: to feel disgust or embarrassment and often to show this feeling by a movement of your face or body
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: to make a sudden movement from fear of being hit or hurt
CRINGE Defined for Kids
cringe
playDefinition of cringe for Students
cringed
;cringing
1 : to shrink in fear : cower … when you see a dog cringe … You know somebody's been kicking at him. — Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Shiloh
2 : to show disgust or embarrassment at something He cringed at the suggestion of eating liver.
Learn More about cringe
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See words that rhyme with cringe Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cringe Spanish Central: Translation of cringe Nglish: Translation of cringe for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cringe for Arabic speakers
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