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
• smirk
• squinch
• lour
• 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

Noun

Judge Subramanian didn’t flinch, siding with the government. —Danielle Bacher, People.com, 3 July 2025

When the conversation turned to the metaphorical messes — like heartbreak — the 54-year-old didn’t flinch. —Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 3 July 2025

But Wintour didn’t flinch where other leaders would have easily crumbled. —Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

English didn’t flinch at the deficit with just three outs left in its season, though. —Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 14 June 2025