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
But once-dominant modes of expression that have become marginalized can’t help but develop cringeworthy coping mechanisms.
—
Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025
That’s Ridley: a special talent, a key to this Titans season and now the subject of a sports analogy so cringeworthy that it could only be allowed to fly in the account of an NFL preseason game.
—Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 10 Aug. 2024
That means Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts, he of the most cringeworthy quote of the offseason, can close up his open guitar case at the Addison stop.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Their petitions and open letters can be cringeworthy.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cringeworthy
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.
Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025
That’s Ridley: a special talent, a key to this Titans season and now the subject of a sports analogy so cringeworthy that it could only be allowed to fly in the account of an NFL preseason game.
—Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 10 Aug. 2024
That means Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts, he of the most cringeworthy quote of the offseason, can close up his open guitar case at the Addison stop.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Their petitions and open letters can be cringeworthy.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cringeworthy
Cite this Entry
“Cringeworthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cringeworthy. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share