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
This includes the many cringeworthy moments that arise after the author decides to join the obnoxious band of NFT flaunters called the Bored Ape Yacht Club.
—
Byjeff John Roberts, Fortune Crypto, 12 Sep. 2023
But few can recount as many cringeworthy attempts as Riley Collins.
—Angela Yang, NBC News, 3 Sep. 2023
Hochul went to considerable lengths on LaSalle’s behalf despite the chorus of rejection—sometimes to cringeworthy effect.
—Raina Lipsitz, The New Republic, 1 May 2023
No doubt much of the foundational rhetoric of Web 2.0 is cringeworthy in the harsh light of 2023.
—Tim Hwang, WIRED, 11 July 2023
Excruciating silences and cringeworthy conversations act as magnifying glasses on the social contract, inviting us to pore over its fine print.
—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 12 June 2023
The typical politician starting his career in local government would probably not take on reforming the city’s nudity law, particularly if his last name lends itself to cringeworthy puns.
—Melanie Mason, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2023
Awkward moments — including cringeworthy facial expressions — generated negative headlines.
—Shane Goldmacher, New York Times, 24 May 2023
Huggins had repeatedly embarrassed the university – from his players regularly landing on the police blotter to his bullying of athletic department underlings to his dumb comments to the cringeworthy video footage of his DUI arrest.
—Jason Williams, The Enquirer, 9 May 2023
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Byjeff John Roberts, Fortune Crypto, 12 Sep. 2023
But few can recount as many cringeworthy attempts as Riley Collins.
—Angela Yang, NBC News, 3 Sep. 2023
Hochul went to considerable lengths on LaSalle’s behalf despite the chorus of rejection—sometimes to cringeworthy effect.
—Raina Lipsitz, The New Republic, 1 May 2023
No doubt much of the foundational rhetoric of Web 2.0 is cringeworthy in the harsh light of 2023.
—Tim Hwang, WIRED, 11 July 2023
Excruciating silences and cringeworthy conversations act as magnifying glasses on the social contract, inviting us to pore over its fine print.
—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 12 June 2023
The typical politician starting his career in local government would probably not take on reforming the city’s nudity law, particularly if his last name lends itself to cringeworthy puns.
—Melanie Mason, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2023
Awkward moments — including cringeworthy facial expressions — generated negative headlines.
—Shane Goldmacher, New York Times, 24 May 2023
Huggins had repeatedly embarrassed the university – from his players regularly landing on the police blotter to his bullying of athletic department underlings to his dumb comments to the cringeworthy video footage of his DUI arrest.
—Jason Williams, The Enquirer, 9 May 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cringeworthy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1977, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near cringeworthy
Cite this Entry
“Cringeworthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cringeworthy. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.
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