Synonyms of wince

wince 1 of 2

verb

ˈwin(t)s 

as in to flinch

to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust

winced at the movie's graphic depiction of combat injuries

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flinch
• recoil
• cringe
• shudder
• hesitate
• tremble
• shrink
• blench
• quail
• shake
• blanch
• quiver
• squinch
• pale
• quake
• whiten
• withdraw
• crouch
• twitch
• retreat
• falter
• recede
• jerk
• waver
• retire
• reel
• start

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approach
• face
• advance
• confront
• challenge
• near
• beard
• defy

wince

2 of 2

noun

as in flinch

Related Words

• flinch
• grimace
• frown
• scowl
• growl
• moue
• snarl
• pout
• mouth
• mow
• squinch
• smirk
• lower
• sneer
• face
• rictus
• scoff
• mug
• snoot
• stare
• glare
• simper
• glower
• look

Dissimilar Words

• smile
• laugh
• grin

Synonym Chooser

How is the word wince distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of wince are blench, flinch, quail, recoil, and shrink. While all these words mean "to draw back in fear or distaste," wince suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction (such as a start or recoiling).

winced in pain

When would blench be a good substitute for wince?

In some situations, the words blench and wince are roughly equivalent. However, blench implies fainthearted flinching.

stood their ground without blenching

When might flinch be a better fit than wince?

While the synonyms flinch and wince are close in meaning, flinch implies a failure to endure pain or face something dangerous or frightening with resolution.

faced her accusers without flinching

Where would quail be a reasonable alternative to wince?

The meanings of quail and wince largely overlap; however, quail suggests shrinking and cowering in fear.

quailed before the apparition

When can recoil be used instead of wince?

Although the words recoil and wince have much in common, recoil implies a start or movement away through shock, fear, or disgust.

recoiled at the suggestion of stealing

When is it sensible to use shrink instead of wince?

The words shrink and wince can be used in similar contexts, but shrink suggests an instinctive recoil through sensitiveness, scrupulousness, or cowardice.

shrank from the unpleasant truth

How is the word wince distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of wince are blench, flinch, quail, recoil, and shrink. While all these words mean "to draw back in fear or distaste," wince suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction (such as a start or recoiling).

winced in pain

When would blench be a good substitute for wince?

In some situations, the words blench and wince are roughly equivalent. However, blench implies fainthearted flinching.

stood their ground without blenching

When might flinch be a better fit than wince?

While the synonyms flinch and wince are close in meaning, flinch implies a failure to endure pain or face something dangerous or frightening with resolution.

faced her accusers without flinching

Where would quail be a reasonable alternative to wince?

The meanings of quail and wince largely overlap; however, quail suggests shrinking and cowering in fear.

quailed before the apparition

When can recoil be used instead of wince?

Although the words recoil and wince have much in common, recoil implies a start or movement away through shock, fear, or disgust.

recoiled at the suggestion of stealing

When is it sensible to use shrink instead of wince?

The words shrink and wince can be used in similar contexts, but shrink suggests an instinctive recoil through sensitiveness, scrupulousness, or cowardice.

shrank from the unpleasant truth

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of wince

Verb

By the troubled end to his time at Molineux, Pereira appeared to wince each time the subject of sinking beer with supporters came up at press conferences. —Steve Madeley, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026

The hard-drinking, hyper-sensitive Fitzgerald himself would have winced at any of the five adaptations of The Great Gatsby. —Peter Bart, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026

Noun

But a bracing and wince-inducing mid-game twist shakes up this familiar cadence. —Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2025

Entrepreneurs hoping to make a name in the tech scene may hear O’Kelley’s early career journey and wince at the repeat firings and uncertainty that came with it. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025