Synonyms of flinched

flinched

verb

past tense of flinch

as in winced

to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• winced
• recoiled
• cringed
• shuddered
• trembled
• hesitated
• shrank
• quailed
• shook
• blenched
• quivered
• paled
• retreated
• crouched
• blanched
• squinched
• withdrew
• twitched
• quaked
• jerked
• faltered
• whitened
• receded
• wavered
• reeled
• retired
• started

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approached
• advanced
• faced
• confronted
• challenged
• neared
• defied
• bearded

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of flinched

Then the pianist flinched and the leader sprinted off the stage. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026

The teen in the green sweatshirt, Williams, momentarily flinched from the gunshot. — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Sipp slightly flinched his left arm before throwing a pitch to Emmanuel Burriss, allowing Miguel Tejada to score and sending San Francisco to its fourth straight win. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026

The kid never flinched, played almost every game. — David Aldridge, New York Times, 21 June 2026

Credit card APRs are still parked near record highs, after all, and rates on mortgages and many other loan products have barely flinched, meaning there are big affordability challenges for those who need to borrow money in today's landscape. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 18 June 2026

The moose flinched and stiffened. — Fred Bear, Outdoor Life, 11 June 2026

One participant flinched, as if struck. — Yoni Appelbaum, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026

The executive producer and star points to earlier moments in the season, like when Ruben flinched at the sight of his dad through his bedroom window. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 29 May 2026