1
as in wincing
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 shrinking
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cringing
Verb
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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 -
But lawmakers on both sides are wincing at the thought of a full-year funding patch, particularly as the government operates under its third continuous stopgap.—
Aris Folley,
The Hill,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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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
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The Colorado Rapids aren’t flinching in the midst of a wild summer transfer window.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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And the supporters who responded to his complaints about overzealous Democrats aren’t recoiling.—
Jonathan J. Cooper,
Twin Cities,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The moment was caught on camera by fans, with Bryan seen slightly recoiling after the hit.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The staff member can be seen cowering down to fend off the attack and then turns and squares up to the irate passenger, who’s wearing a green colored top and army green pants.—
Michael Dorgan,
Fox News,
29 Nov. 2024
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The trauma of war is ever-present in Honda's vision, which sees citizens fleeing for their lives and cowering in the rubble of their homes.—
Katie Rife,
EW.com,
18 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Managers are no longer as cautious, players are no longer as submissive, supporters are no longer as in awe.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
1 Sep. 2025
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Wilson also gets called a ‘simp,’ which is slang for a man who is viewed as foolish for being submissive or overly catering to his woman.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Just 14 yards on resigned run plays were, however, according to Pro Football Focus.—
Oliver Thomas,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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As new members have replaced the resigned ones, the board has ramped up focus on policies around LGBTQ+ students, dress codes and health curriculum.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Where Chelsea’s domestic overseers have been largely acquiescent to their accounting ingenuity, the same can’t be said abroad.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
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Netanyahu appears convinced that his country’s security, along with his own political survival, depends on prolonging the military offensives and keeping both Gaza and Lebanon ungovernable, and therefore acquiescent.—
Mohanad Hage Ali,
Foreign Affairs,
1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The surroundings are deferential, completed by a group of friends enjoying conversation encouraged by physical comfort and a visual calm.—
Joseph Giovannini,
Architectural Digest,
4 Sep. 2025
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The new additions are thoughtful and deferential, keeping the original intact to a great degree.—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Cringing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cringing. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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