flinch

verb \ ˈflinch \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of flinch

intransitive verb

: to withdraw or shrink from or as if from pain : wince

He flinched when he was presented with the car repair bill.

; also : to tense the muscles involuntarily in anticipation of discomfort

I cannot help flinching when I hear the dentist's drill.

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flinch

noun

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flincher

noun

See flinch defined for English-language learners

See flinch defined for kids

Examples of flinch in a Sentence

He flinched when I tapped him on the shoulder.
She met danger without flinching.
The bill was much higher than expected, but he paid it without flinching.

Recent Examples of flinch from the Web

As the stage grows increasingly more high-profile, Paul Washington says his son will not flinch.

— fletcher page, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky basketball's PJ Washington undecided on NBA draft," 8 May 2018
When Natalie was 3 years old and suffering side effects, such as vomiting blood, Hannah never flinched or fell apart.

— marlisse cepeda, Woman's Day, "7-Year-Old Shaves Off Long Locks to Support Her 5-Year-Old Sister's Cancer Battle," 28 Oct. 2014
In extra innings Morgan City didn't flinch as the No.

— hank brady, NOLA.com, "Belle Chasse 4; Morgan City 3: Erin Ragas hammers game-winning hit as Cardinals advance in extra-innings," 23 Apr. 2018
Central Michigan will not flinch at its first Cleveland opponent, Buffalo, as the Chips played with the Bulls down to the wire in an 88-82 early February setback.

— elton alexander, cleveland.com, "MAC Tournament 2018: Eastern Michigan, Toledo, Buffalo are men's favorites," 7 Mar. 2018
Philly didn't flinch, answering with a precise 75-yard march with three more third-down conversions.

— USA TODAY, "Foles, Eagles outshoot Patriots for 1st Super Bowl, 41-33," 4 Feb. 2018
So don't expect GM Mike Maccagnan to flinch at taking Rosen — there's probably no rookie QB better equipped to step right into Gang Green's lineup — no matter how much former Bruins coach Jim Mora elaborates/equivocates about him.

— nate davis, USA TODAY, "NFL mock draft 2018: Projecting first-round trades," 4 Apr. 2018
The man might turn a few heads in the Viejas crowd when West Virginia meets Murray State on Friday afternoon, but no one flinched in practice, even when the man shot video under the basket as players shot layups.

— kirk kenney, sandiegouniontribune.com, "NCAA Scene & Heard: West Virginia's Mountaineer stands out in the crowd," 15 Mar. 2018
Aluminum prices went up by more than 10 percent last year, and no one along the supply chain appeared to flinch.

— natalie kitroeff, BostonGlobe.com, "Tariffs could make Boeing a target in a trade war," 14 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flinch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of flinch

Middle French flenchir to bend, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle High German lenken to bend, Old High German hlanca flank — more at lank

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1578

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

flinch Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of flinch

recoil, shrink, flinch, wince, blench, quail mean to draw back in fear or distaste. recoil implies a start or movement away through shock, fear, or disgust.