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 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 Read on to this PEOPLE writer's ranking of the most shocking — and sheer cringe — moments from the HBO series, from awkward to awful. Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 17 Mar. 2025 Gellar chatted with Glamour about the advice her Dexter costar Michael C. Hall told her about returning to an iconic role, her one film her kids don’t find cringe, and her rules for re-creating 90s fashion. Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 17 Mar. 2025 And everyone would cringe at the thought of disappointing their colleagues. Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cringe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cringe
Verb
  • Some of the players around the vice president winced.
    Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Its owner Lorenzo Porro winced when the conversation turned to a looming trade war.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Through three games against the more seasoned and favored Knicks, the Pistons have looked their counterparts in the eye and, except for their fourth-quarter collapse in Game 1, haven’t flinched.
    The Athletic NBA Staff, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The assistant hitting coach flinched, but held his ground.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Within hours, markets recoiled, and prediction platforms began pricing in a grim new outlook.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Upon contact, Goldberg recoiled, and Sara Haines clutched her own chest after being hit with emotional shrapnel.
    Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The first season emphasized urban hellscapes — lots of cowering and running in the ruins of Boston, Kansas City and Salt Lake City — while moving toward the open spaces of Wyoming.
    Mike Hale, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Through the video, she is shown cowering in the corner of her enclosure, staying close to the wall.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cringe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cringe. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on cringe

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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