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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
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Why Paying More Miles Was Worth It Points pros might wince at using KrisFlyer for all segments when Star Alliance partner programs like Air Canada Aeroplan or United MileagePlus can price lower.—
Chris Dong,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Oct. 2025
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Lina winces at the sound of Jaya munching on an apple, made worse by the static on the line.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Thomas turned around and squeezed DeChambeau’s leg with anxiety, his face in a nervous grimace.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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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
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Users say the rifle’s recoil is easier to handle because a large muzzle break and a sturdy tripod keep it steady after each shot.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Oct. 2025
-
After appearing to slightly recoil, Lauren walks away, looking relatively calm.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But the aftermath of the videos left many Democrats cringing, Republican candidates pouncing, and political observers wondering how voters would respond.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
14 Oct. 2025
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The cringing mortifications and unsettling unreality make the series a tough sit.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But Thursday, as Latu relived the play in the locker room, his frustration manifested itself into a frown.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
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There's room for laughs amid the tears and smiles amid the frowns.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The move follows widespread public revulsion over the attacks in the UK.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
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Meanwhile, voices on the left responded with revulsion.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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After a beat, Eilish is seen yanking herself away and storms off, surrounded by security with an angry scowl on her face.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Oct. 2025
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Matt Nagy slipped into his first-class sleeper seat with a scowl on his face, a grim outing at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on his mind and a long, transcontinental flight in his immediate future.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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My poetry began as a father’s sly growl, became a spectacle on a rickety stage washed in limelight, and now is a 70-year-old woman’s walk back into a thousand yesterdays.—
Via Scribner,
Literary Hub,
6 Oct. 2025
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The scents of soy, garlic, and mirin made Charlie’s stomach growl.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flinch. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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