Synonyms of cringe

cringe

verb

ˈkrinj 

1

as in to wince

to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust

gruesome crime scene photos that made several jurors cringe

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wince
• flinch
• recoil
• shudder
• hesitate
• tremble
• shrink
• blench
• shake
• quail
• blanch
• quiver
• squinch
• pale
• whiten
• quake
• crouch
• retreat
• withdraw
• twitch
• falter
• jerk
• recede
• start
• retire
• waver
• reel

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approach
• advance
• face
• confront
• challenge
• near
• beard
• defy

2

as in to flinch

to draw back or crouch down in fearful submission

the puppy cringed when his master raised the rolled-up newspaper

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flinch
• cower
• recoil
• grovel
• quail
• blanch
• shrink
• whiten
• kowtow
• blench
• fawn
• squinch
• toady

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cringe distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of cringe are cower, fawn, toady, and truckle. While all these words mean "to behave abjectly before a superior," cringe suggests a bowing or shrinking in fear or servility.

a cringing sycophant

When is cower a more appropriate choice than cringe?

The meanings of cower and cringe largely overlap; however, cower suggests a display of abject fear in the company of threatening or domineering people.

cowering before a bully

When could fawn be used to replace cringe?

Although the words fawn and cringe have much in common, fawn implies seeking favor by servile flattery or exaggerated attention.

waiters fawning over a celebrity

When might toady be a better fit than cringe?

In some situations, the words toady and cringe are roughly equivalent. However, toady suggests the attempt to ingratiate oneself by an abjectly menial or subservient attitude.

toadying to his boss

Where would truckle be a reasonable alternative to cringe?

The words truckle and cringe can be used in similar contexts, but truckle implies the subordination of oneself and one's desires or judgment to those of a superior.

truckling to a powerful lobbyist

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cringe

And then there’s the anti- crowd, who cringe at the thought of having to maintain resolutions after a busy holiday season and work resumes. —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2026

That’s why these cabinet meetings are nothing but cringe kiss-up sessions whose sole purpose is to keep the declining autocrat in a haze of good feelings and esteem-boosting praise. —David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025

In it, her fellow students can be seen gasping, covering their faces and cringing. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 30 Nov. 2025

Meanwhile, on forums more focused on activism, his supporters cringe at how this phenomenon fuels the characterization of anybody who supports anything to do with Mangione as a fangirl. —Lorena O'Neil, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2025