cringe

1 of 3

verb

cringed; cringing

intransitive verb

1
: to recoil in distaste
Americans cringed … at the use of a term now regarded as a slurWilliam Safire
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 draw in or contract one's muscles involuntarily (as from cold or pain)
… we cringe under the blasting wind …Charles S. Houston
cringer noun

cringe

2 of 3

noun

: a cringing act
specifically : a servile bow

cringe

3 of 3

adjective

slang
: so embarrassing, awkward, etc. as to cause one to cringe : cringeworthy
a cringe moment
cringe comedy [=comedy involving jokes that make people uncomfortable]
It's hard to find a movie from the early 2000s that isn't a little cringe.theringer.com
Choose the Right Synonym for cringe

fawn, toady, truckle, cringe, cower mean to behave abjectly before a superior.

fawn implies seeking favor by servile flattery or exaggerated attention.

waiters fawning over a celebrity

toady suggests the attempt to ingratiate oneself by an abjectly menial or subservient attitude.

toadying to his boss

truckle implies the subordination of oneself and one's desires or judgment to those of a superior.

truckling to a powerful lobbyist

cringe suggests a bowing or shrinking in fear or servility.

a cringing sycophant

cower suggests a display of abject fear in the company of threatening or domineering people.

cowering before a bully

Examples of cringe in a Sentence

Verb 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 on the Web
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.
Verb
What is transgressive, indie and anti-woke today will one day be normie, derivative, and cringe. John McDermott, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2025 Her post-Sisterhood career has featured roles in horror flicks (The Grudge 2), cringe comedies (The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret), medical dramas (House), and sitcoms (Two and a Half Men). EW.com, 28 June 2025
Noun
Posting always involves the risk of seeming cringe. Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 9 July 2025 The Chrisley family are ride or die through thick and thin — except in cases of extreme cringe apparently. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 30 June 2025
Adjective
The first-term council member deserves all the reprimands being heaped on her — most of all because the video that set off this pathetic episode is so cringe. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025 Janet says that this is cringe and sad at the same time. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for cringe

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English crengen; akin to Old English cringan to yield, Middle High German krank weak

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Noun

1592, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1983, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cringe was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cringe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cringe. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

cringe

verb
ˈkrinj
cringed; cringing
ˈkrin-jiŋ
1
: to shrink in fear or distaste : cower
cringed at the sight of blood
2
: to behave in a too humble or cowardly way
cringer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on cringe

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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