as in winced
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust
there are some patients who flinch at the mere sight of a needle
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Recent Examples of flinched
Her coach never flinched, as Kara Lawson basked in the joy of winning such a big game in a city that has embraced her.
—
Joe Davidson
march 27, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Even as Michigan State came roaring back in the second half, cutting the lead to just two in the final minute, UCLA never flinched.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
After hearing their parents lay it out, none of the Smith kids — Lilly, Eli, Maggie, Brice, Wilson or Jesse — flinched at the idea of helping their baby sister.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
Everyone in the barber shop flinched at the sound and tensed their shoulders.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
The United Arab Emirates said Dubai’s main airport had been affected, and tourists and others flinched at the booms of interceptors.
—Cara Anna, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
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
The noise was so strange that only some of the rally-goers flinched.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Joe Davidson
march 27, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Even as Michigan State came roaring back in the second half, cutting the lead to just two in the final minute, UCLA never flinched.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
After hearing their parents lay it out, none of the Smith kids — Lilly, Eli, Maggie, Brice, Wilson or Jesse — flinched at the idea of helping their baby sister.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
Everyone in the barber shop flinched at the sound and tensed their shoulders.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
The United Arab Emirates said Dubai’s main airport had been affected, and tourists and others flinched at the booms of interceptors.
—Cara Anna, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
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
The noise was so strange that only some of the rally-goers flinched.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flinched
Verb
-
Forrest pushed it and winced as tear gas sprayed.—
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The issue became apparent at 4-4 in the third set, when Alcaraz winced after stretching for a volley and a match that had appeared a foregone conclusion spun on its axis.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When Paramount debuted a first look at the film in 2019, online commentators recoiled at the speedy hedgehog’s human teeth and odd facial features.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Users recoiled immediately, forcing OpenAI to backtrack and restore the old models.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And the mother of Carter, a 5-year-old boy, cringed in fear when Carter (who was celebrating his birthday) was approached at a neighborhood bike park by a group of much older boys.—
Chris John Amorosino,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The couple cringed at the attention.—
Molly Hennessy-Fiske,
Washington Post,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flinched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flinched. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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