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wince

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noun

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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of wince
Verb
Not just my face but also the faces of all middle-aged women who foolishly smiled, laughed, winced, frowned or squinted between birth and the year 2025. Gwen Rockwood, Arkansas Online, 22 May 2025 The chefs, visibly wincing, could not match her vibe any less. Caroline Framke, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025 Others lowered themselves from a ladder, wincing all the way. Julia Whelan Emma Kehlbeck Jeremy McLennan, New York Times, 2 May 2025 As the trailer depicts, the shame of his past follows him into Thunderbolts*, with the character wincing over bad press about him in the newspaper. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for wince
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wince
Verb
  • Given his winning streak, nobody would’ve flinched if Lamar framed his portion of the event as a celebration.
    Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025
  • But, when Wayne and Bryant’s names were called, neither flinched under the bright lights.
    Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • Throughout baseball history, such collisions have been met mostly with grimaces and shrugs.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Monday’s developments were greeted with grimace around town.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Financial markets recoiled, and Mr. Trump paused most, but not all, of his tariffs.
    Daisuke Wakabayashi, New York Times, 21 May 2025
  • Here's the news: Some Republicans recoiled at the Trump-Musk feud.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 7 June 2025
Noun
  • Young visitors at the Vietnam Military History Museum posted photos of themselves next to the flag with deep frowns, thumbs down or middle fingers raised.
    Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
  • In this community, mention of President Trump elicits shudders, frowns or blank stares.
    Kurt Streeter, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • The rest of the show is a little more hit-or-miss, ranging from genuinely funny to somewhat cringe.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
  • If the dad in your life cringes at the thought of wearing flip-flops during the summer months, these Dockers may make him into a sandals convert.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • And only after stomping around for almost two full minutes did Roberts finally retreat, trudging back to the clubhouse with a scowl on his face.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
  • The rout evened this three-game series and added a laugher to a rivalry usually played with scowls and gritted teeth.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • Keitel begins the scene with an intimidating growl and ends it in rueful melancholy.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 June 2025
  • One witness tried to give him a life preserver, and another tried to speak with him but received a growl in response, according to the sheriff.
    Alex Sundby May 26, CBS News, 26 May 2025
Noun
  • In her trademark cat-eye glasses, with her bitter-lemon moue, Hoffman, as Moth, is comedy just standing there; Harada, as Mustardseed, a warmth machine.
    New York Times, New York Times, 24 Oct. 2021
  • Not just any moue, either, but a supermoue—a whole cultural attitude distilled into a single boffff.
    Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2020

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Cite this Entry

“Wince.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wince. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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