as in wincing
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flinching
Ross passed the day's examination with flying colors – barely flinching at the rubber chicken.
—
Laura L. Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Oct. 2025
Skubal, apparently flinching with the noise, balked for only the second time in his career.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Your stronger body will give you the confidence that comes from moving without flinching.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Share relevant proof that mirrors their situation, name your price without flinching, and close with one clear question.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
The Colorado Rapids aren’t flinching in the midst of a wild summer transfer window.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2025
Laura L. Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Oct. 2025
Skubal, apparently flinching with the noise, balked for only the second time in his career.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Your stronger body will give you the confidence that comes from moving without flinching.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Share relevant proof that mirrors their situation, name your price without flinching, and close with one clear question.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
The Colorado Rapids aren’t flinching in the midst of a wild summer transfer window.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flinching
Verb
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In that moment, Dupree involuntarily punches him and the pair go quiet as Dooley cusses and bends over wincing in pain.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
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Perhaps tearing originally grew out of a physiological reflex that restored moisture to the eyes and nasal passages after they had been dried out by the pressure of wincing or the hyperventilation of arousal.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Americans are recoiling from the Democratic Party, and even in blue states like Colorado, Democrats are feeling the burn.—
The Denver Post Editorial Board,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
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And the supporters who responded to his complaints about overzealous Democrats aren’t recoiling.—
Jonathan J. Cooper,
Twin Cities,
6 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
Cite this Entry
“Flinching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flinching. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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