wince

verb

ˈwin(t)s 

winced; wincing

intransitive verb

: to shrink back involuntarily (as from pain) : flinch

wince noun

Synonyms

• blench
• cringe
• flinch
• quail
• recoil
• shrink
• squinch

Choose the Right Synonym for wince

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.

recoiled at the suggestion of stealing

shrink suggests an instinctive recoil through sensitiveness, scrupulousness, or cowardice.

shrank from the unpleasant truth

flinch implies a failure to endure pain or face something dangerous or frightening with resolution.

faced her accusers without flinching

wince suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction (such as a start or recoiling).

winced in pain

blench implies fainthearted flinching.

stood their ground without blenching

quail suggests shrinking and cowering in fear.

quailed before the apparition

Examples of wince in a Sentence

winced at the movie's graphic depiction of combat injuries

Recent Examples on the Web

Its owner Lorenzo Porro winced when the conversation turned to a looming trade war. —Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2025

Some of the players around the vice president winced. —Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025

Just look at what could’ve been the game-winning 3-pointer: The entire nation, minus Gator fans, winced at that. —Chris Branch, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025

City officials winced at the thought of heavy military equipment rolling on streets. —Cuneyt Dil, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wynsen to kick out, start, from Anglo-French *wincer, *guincer to shift direction, dodge, by-form of guenchir, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German wenken, wankōn to totter — more at wench

First Known Use

circa 1748, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for wince

• mince
• prince
• quince
• rinse
• since
• convince
• evince

Kids Definition

wince

verb

ˈwin(t)s 

winced; wincing

: to shrink back (as from pain) : flinch

the cut on my leg caused me to wince

the crowd winced when the skater fell on the ice

wince noun