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

Some folks are happy just being on the plane, while others see a middle seat and instantly cringe. —Carin Ryan, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2026

San Jose Jazz Executive Director Brendan Rawson worked on those early indexes as a researcher and cringed at seeing some of his early graphics work from the ’90s shown on the big screen. —Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2026

Continue reading … LOGGED OFF – Harris mocked for 'cringe' social media rebrand attempt after failed White House bid. —FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026

Wanting anything, expressing any sort of enthusiasm or vulnerability, could be described by some as awkward or even cringe-worthy. —Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 4 Feb. 2026