flinched; flinching; flinches
Definition of flinch
: 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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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for flinch
The first known use of flinch was in 1578
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