cringeworthy

adjective

cringe·​wor·​thy ˈkrinj-ˌwər-t͟hē 

: so embarrassing, awkward, or upsetting as to cause one to cringe

a cringeworthy performance

Examples of cringeworthy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The show sought to expand norms of representation—a project whose sincerity all but courts the cringeworthy—with artists hell-bent on deconstructing the drive for beauty, including Orlan, Sara Cwynar, Juno Calypso, and Haley Morris-Cafiero. — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

That was the uncomfortable conclusion after Saturday’s cringeworthy developments in Boulder and Fort Collins. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 5 Oct. 2026

The good news is that even with what seems like a cringeworthy amount of weeds, your vegetable garden can still flourish. — Amy Brightfield, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Aug. 2026

Earlier on Monday, OutKick documented some of the most cringeworthy remarks in defense of Carrington. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1977, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cringeworthy

• creditworthy
• untrustworthy
• blameworthy
• newsworthy
• noteworthy
• praiseworthy
• trustworthy
• unworthy
• worthy