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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in recoil
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of flinch
Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025
Your stronger body will give you the confidence that comes from moving without flinching.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flinch
Verb
The shock of it made her flinch.
—Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
Didn’t flinch, didn’t lay down.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025
Your stronger body will give you the confidence that comes from moving without flinching.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flinch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flinch
Verb
-
In that moment, Dupree involuntarily punches him and the pair go quiet as Dooley cusses and bends over wincing in pain.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Perhaps tearing originally grew out of a physiological reflex that restored moisture to the eyes and nasal passages after they had been dried out by the pressure of wincing or the hyperventilation of arousal.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Thomas turned around and squeezed DeChambeau’s leg with anxiety, his face in a nervous grimace.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Per the season's sneak peek, this year's voyage pairs steamy trysts among the crew with some grimace-worthy incidents, from jellyfish sightings and jet ski accidents (and what looks to be a lone charter guest floating out to sea on a raft).—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
After appearing to slightly recoil, Lauren walks away, looking relatively calm.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Light recoil is particularly desirable in an antelope rifle for African use-a rifle that may be shot every day for 40 days.—
Jack O'Connor,
Outdoor Life,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
One harbinger of this is the fact that many of the contestants who star in this season of the show are either cringe, mean, or both.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
2 Oct. 2025
-
You natter and natter without ever having to think of what to say or cringe through any awkward silence.—
Jonny Thomson,
Big Think,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Chris’s kids noticed how his smile melted into a frown.—
Juli Fraga,
Time,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The two facial expressions are literally inversions of each other — as the song says, a smile is just a frown turned upside down.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The move follows widespread public revulsion over the attacks in the UK.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Meanwhile, voices on the left responded with revulsion.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Children can quickly detect their parent’s stress by the tone in their voice or the expression on their face, such as a furrowed brow or a scowl.—
Juli Fraga,
Time,
23 Sep. 2025
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And then there’s the U.S. Army officer who succeeds in apprehending Perfidia: Col. Steven J. Lockjaw, played in a graying military fade, with some fur on top and a martinet scowl, by Sean Penn.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The scents of soy, garlic, and mirin made Charlie’s stomach growl.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Sep. 2025
-
This is the diplomatic equivalent of a low growl signaling rising frustration.—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flinch. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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