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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flinched
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
However, Wall Street hasn’t flinched.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 29 May 2026
Smalley finally flinched with a devastating double bogey.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
Meta Platforms is splashing some serious cash on AI infrastructure, and investors have flinched.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
The recruiting operation has barely flinched, as Bama has reeled in its fair share of five-stars and top five classes since DeBoer's arrival in January 2024.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Gorajski flinched and ducked out of the way like Cisek was an incoming meteor.
—Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
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
Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 29 May 2026
However, Wall Street hasn’t flinched.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 29 May 2026
Smalley finally flinched with a devastating double bogey.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
Meta Platforms is splashing some serious cash on AI infrastructure, and investors have flinched.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
The recruiting operation has barely flinched, as Bama has reeled in its fair share of five-stars and top five classes since DeBoer's arrival in January 2024.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Gorajski flinched and ducked out of the way like Cisek was an incoming meteor.
—Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flinched
Verb
-
Ohtani spun and winced but then strode straight to first base.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
-
Vanderbilt was in a ton of pain, and even the Thunder bench winced at Vanderbilt’s hand.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
And when the Walmart collaboration arrived in 2007 — a full collection at twenty dollars and under — the industry recoiled once again.—
Jeetendr Sehdev,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
The young Forster recoiled from the school’s culture of authoritarianism and militaristic chauvinism, which may have found expression in the students’ often appalling attitudes toward their own mothers.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Mingione cringed when asked if any of his players had gotten hurt by a hit by pitch.—
Mitch Light,
New York Times,
22 May 2026
-
For a decade, viewers have cringed at Amanda Batula and Kyle Cooke’s rocky relationship, the dénouement of which is currently playing out on season ten of Summer House.—
Rebecca Jennings,
Vulture,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flinched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flinched. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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