cringe

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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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cringe It was stocked with Millennial cringe long before Gen Z gave us the term Millennial cringe. Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025 On August 25, romantic Venus enters courageous Leo until August 19, moving us to let courage, not cringe, decide our communication in connections. Colin Bedell, Them., 20 Aug. 2025 Payton cringes at the mention of a sophomore slump, that defenses will figure out Nix. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 Aug. 2025 There was never a moment of embarrassment or even cringe. Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cringe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cringe
Verb
  • Aramayo is excellent in the role, easily transversing between John’s pain and confusion and a wincing humor about the whole situation.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Sideline reporter Stacey Dales said on the YouTube broadcast that Worthy was wincing in pain and went to the X-ray room.
    Jesse Newell, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The last time Congress faced a deadline to extend government funding, Senate Democrats flinched, giving Republicans the votes needed to avert a government shutdown without extracting any concessions.
    Nik Popli, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Share relevant proof that mirrors their situation, name your price without flinching, and close with one clear question.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Current detectors use heavy atoms like xenon and argon, which should recoil if their nucleus is struck, much like colliding billiard balls.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • As detailed in Tina Fey’s 2011 memoir, Bossypants, Jimmy Fallon, who was also in the show’s cast at the time, jokingly recoiled and told Poehler to stop it.
    Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Frisbee, on the other hand, cowered and faced away from the camera.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2025
  • But we’re not so easily cowered.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cringe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cringe. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on cringe

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