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
Part of the show’s charm is Ashley and Gordon’s often weird relationship, mostly due to the latter’s cringeworthy moments.
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Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026
That said, there’s plenty about the series — which ran from 2003 to 2018 — that is very cringeworthy, represents major lapses of judgment and would never make it on the air today.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 16 Feb. 2026
One of Helen’s co-workers tries to tell her about adoption in one early cringeworthy moment.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
Some of the games on the show have been a tad cringeworthy, such as a competition to cut up hot dogs.
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
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Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026
That said, there’s plenty about the series — which ran from 2003 to 2018 — that is very cringeworthy, represents major lapses of judgment and would never make it on the air today.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 16 Feb. 2026
One of Helen’s co-workers tries to tell her about adoption in one early cringeworthy moment.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
Some of the games on the show have been a tad cringeworthy, such as a competition to cut up hot dogs.
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cringeworthy
Cite this Entry
“Cringeworthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cringeworthy. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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