flinches; flinched; flinching
1
: to move suddenly because you are afraid of being hit or hurt
He flinched when I tapped him on the shoulder.
2
: to show fear : to hesitate from doing something unpleasant or dangerous
She met danger without flinching.
The bill was much higher than expected, but he paid it without flinching.
—often + at or fromHe didn't flinch at paying the bill.
She never flinched from danger.
Cite this Entry
“Flinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/flinch. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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