CRINGES Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

cringes

verb

present tense third-person singular of cringe

as in winces

to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust gruesome crime scene photos that made several jurors cringe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in flinches

to draw back or crouch down in fearful submission the puppy cringed when his master raised the rolled-up newspaper

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 cringes Payton cringes at the mention of a sophomore slump, that defenses will figure out Nix. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cringes

Verb

The slot formerly occupied by Milli Vanilli will be taken by a dog whistle, being blown into the microphone very loudly so that everyone winces and covers their ears.

— Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
Duncan winces, then again attempts to change the subject.

— Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026

Definition of winces

Verb

Warner flinches not about a birthday that is often associated with the beginning of decline.

— Dan Pompei, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Advertisement Throughout the narrative, Johnson never flinches in his portrayal of the wreck, unleashing footage of investigators approaching the car and the victims’ families.

— Jake King-Schreifels, Time, 15 May 2026