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
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
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
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
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
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
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
-
Internally, some employees winced as the prices of some chips surpassed $7.—
Wire TBD,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Internally, some employees winced as the prices of some chips surpassed $7.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Investors recoiled out of fears of an endless quagmire.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
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
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Flinched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flinched. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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