Thesaurus
Synonyms & Antonyms of cringing
(Entry 1 of 2)
as in shrinking, cowering
Synonyms & Near Synonyms for cringing
- bashful,
- diffident,
- introverted,
- mousy
- (or mousey),
- overmodest,
- passive,
- quiet,
- reserved,
- retiring,
- sheepish,
- shy,
- subdued,
- timid,
- unobtrusive
Antonyms & Near Antonyms for cringing
- arrogant,
- bumptious,
- chesty,
- conceited,
- egotistic
- (or egotistical),
- fastuous,
- haughty,
- high-and-mighty,
- highfalutin
- (also hifalutin),
- high-handed,
- high-hat,
- hoity-toity,
- huffish,
- huffy,
- imperious,
- lordly,
- overweening,
- peremptory,
- pompous,
- presuming,
- presumptuous,
- pretentious,
- self-asserting,
- self-assertive,
- supercilious,
- superior,
- toplofty
- (also toploftical),
- uppish,
- uppity
- aggressive,
- assertive,
- audacious,
- bold,
- brash,
- brassy,
- cheeky,
- forward,
- impertinent,
- impudent,
- saucy
- egocentric,
- egoistic
- (also egoistical),
- narcissistic,
- prideful,
- self-affected,
- self-centered,
- self-complacent,
- self-conceited,
- self-congratulatory,
- self-contented,
- self-engrossed,
- self-important,
- self-obsessed,
- self-pleased,
- self-satisfied,
- smug,
- stuck-up,
- swelled-headed
- condescending,
- disdainful,
- dominant,
- dominating,
- domineering,
- magisterial,
- overbearing,
- patronizing,
- pontificating
- extroverted
- (also extraverted),
- immodest,
- outgoing,
- uninhibited,
- unreserved
cringing
verbpresent participle of cringe
Synonyms & Antonyms of cringing (Entry 2 of 2)
1
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust
- gruesome crime scene photos that made several jurors cringe
Synonyms for cringing
Words Related to cringing
Near Antonyms for cringing
2
to draw back or crouch down in fearful submission
- the puppy cringed when his master raised the rolled-up newspaper
Synonyms for cringing
- cowering,
- groveling
- (or grovelling),
- quailing
Words Related to cringing
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on cringing
What made you want to look up cringing? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
- What is an earlier meaning of nice?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Spell words. Make bears.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
Do you know these earlier meanings of words?
Take the quiz - Words of Snow and Ice Quiz
A selection of words from the chillier parts of t...
Take the quiz - How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
Take the quiz - Play the game
Share cringing