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

Benny and pal Carmen's (Wally Baram) hilarious and relatable journey through their freshman year is a cringeworthy pleasure, funny and feeling and backed by great beats from Charli XCX (also a producer and guest star). —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 12 June 2025

In another time, the Bitcoin 2025 convention at Las Vegas’ Venetian hotel casino last week might have been most memorable for its cringeworthy moments. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 2 June 2025

Before the dinner ends, Brit takes the last minutes of the episode to give us some comic relief with another cringeworthy moment. —Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 2 June 2025

But once-dominant modes of expression that have become marginalized can’t help but develop cringeworthy coping mechanisms. —Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1977, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cringeworthy

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