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

Jessica Biel is looking back on her 7th Heaven days — and cringing. —EW.com, 15 Apr. 2025

Jocelyn’s experiences, the show implied, had empowered her, a suggestion so absurd and anachronistic that viewers could only cringe in response. —Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2025

Danny and Xander have a messy romantic history that would make any HR department cringe. —Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025

Seniors from some of the nation’s most expensive high schools travel each year to a luxury resort in the Bahamas — trips that make school administrators cringe. —Dionne Searcey, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025