cringe

1 of 2

verb

ˈkrinj 

cringed; cringing

intransitive verb

1

: to recoil in distaste

… Americans cringed … at the use of a term now regarded as a slur.

—William 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

vendors cringing to tourists for sales

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 2

noun

: a cringing act

specifically : a servile bow

Synonyms of cringe

Verb

• wince
• flinch
• recoil

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

Verb

While some automotive enthusiasts still cringe at the mention of a continuously variable transmission, Subaru’s execution here is among the better examples in the industry. —Tim Jackson, Denver Post, 29 May 2026

More comics journalism from Life Kit Still cringing about that awkward moment? —Andee Tagle, NPR, 25 May 2026

Noun

That was due to the fact that the majority of the house never put up an ounce of resistance, leading to a long, boring slog of a season that was only interrupted by bouts of bullying and cringe-worthy comments poking fun at rape, race, and the trans community. —Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026

There's probably a new term for cringe. —Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026

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

Phrases Containing cringe

• cringe comedy
• cringe-y

Rhymes for cringe

• binge
• fringe
• hinge
• singe
• tinge
• twinge
• impinge
• infringe
• syringe

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