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

His portrayal of academic life will leave real professors wincing, if not giggling … Despite the obvious research that Martel put into his novel, there are too many gaffes about Homer and Greek epic to persuade any expert. —Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026

Grunloh winced when asked about the team’s struggles. —Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026

Noun

As the camera pans across the league, wince and cover your eyes. —Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026

That polling shows that, look, voters have a bit of wince or anxiousness about older candidates. —Dana Taylor, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025