Synonyms of flinch

flinch 1 of 2

verb

ˈflinch 

as in to wince

to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust

there are some patients who flinch at the mere sight of a needle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wince
• recoil
• cringe
• shudder
• tremble
• hesitate
• shrink
• blench
• shake
• quail
• quiver
• withdraw
• blanch
• retreat
• crouch
• quake
• squinch
• pale
• twitch
• falter
• whiten
• jerk
• recede
• waver
• retire
• reel
• start

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approach
• advance
• face
• confront
• challenge
• near
• beard
• defy

flinch

2 of 2

noun

1

as in wince

Related Words

• wince
• grimace
• frown
• scowl
• growl
• snarl
• pout
• mow
• mouth
• moue
• squinch
• smirk
• lower
• face
• sneer
• stare
• snoot
• rictus
• scoff
• glare
• mug
• glower
• simper
• look

Dissimilar Words

• smile
• laugh
• grin

2

as in recoil

Related Words

• recoil
• revulsion
• shrinking
• withdrawal
• disengagement
• rout
• retirement
• retreat
• pullout
• recession
• pullback
• disentanglement

Dissimilar Words

• advance
• advancement

Synonym Chooser

How is the word flinch distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of flinch are blench, quail, recoil, shrink, and wince. While all these words mean "to draw back in fear or distaste," flinch implies a failure to endure pain or face something dangerous or frightening with resolution.

faced her accusers without flinching

When can blench be used instead of flinch?

While in some cases nearly identical to flinch, blench implies fainthearted flinching.

stood their ground without blenching

When would quail be a good substitute for flinch?

The words quail and flinch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, quail suggests shrinking and cowering in fear.

quailed before the apparition

In what contexts can recoil take the place of flinch?

In some situations, the words recoil and flinch are roughly equivalent. However, recoil implies a start or movement away through shock, fear, or disgust.

recoiled at the suggestion of stealing

When might shrink be a better fit than flinch?

While the synonyms shrink and flinch are close in meaning, shrink suggests an instinctive recoil through sensitiveness, scrupulousness, or cowardice.

shrank from the unpleasant truth

When is wince a more appropriate choice than flinch?

Although the words wince and flinch have much in common, wince suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction (such as a start or recoiling).

winced in pain

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of flinch

Verb

But as his show became a pop culture punchline and an enduring ratings force, Povich says the person closest to him never flinched. —Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026

Adi flinched but passed it to him. —Jonathan Miles, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

Noun

The shock of it made her flinch. —Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025