as in flinched
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust
winced at the movie's graphic depiction of combat injuries
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Recent Examples of winced
Forrest pushed it and winced as tear gas sprayed.
—
James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
The issue became apparent at 4-4 in the third set, when Alcaraz winced after stretching for a volley and a match that had appeared a foregone conclusion spun on its axis.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 30 Jan. 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
Charleigh inwardly winced and froze in place, hand still on the knob.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
Even some on the right have winced at the politics.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
The issue became apparent at 4-4 in the third set, when Alcaraz winced after stretching for a volley and a match that had appeared a foregone conclusion spun on its axis.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 30 Jan. 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
Charleigh inwardly winced and froze in place, hand still on the knob.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
Even some on the right have winced at the politics.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winced
Verb
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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,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
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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
Verb
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In a flash, the Avs veteran flew right into a sprawling, helpless Ingram, who recoiled at the contact.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
11 Mar. 2026
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After decades of being kissed up to by massive government support, our fossil fuel industries recoiled against President Joe Biden’s support to grow our clean energy sector.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe joined The View Thursday for an interview about his role in the new NBC comedy The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, the superstar cringed when the show cued up a clip of one of his early auditions to play the boy wizard.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Mar. 2026
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Auriemma cringed at the suggestion this team was better than last year’s.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Winced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winced. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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