Synonyms of winced

winced

verb

past tense of wince

as in flinched

to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust

winced at the movie's graphic depiction of combat injuries

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flinched
• recoiled
• cringed
• shuddered
• hesitated
• trembled
• shrank
• quailed
• blenched
• shook
• quivered
• paled
• blanched
• squinched
• crouched
• twitched
• retreated
• quaked
• whitened
• jerked
• withdrew
• faltered
• receded
• reeled
• wavered
• retired
• started

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approached
• advanced
• confronted
• faced
• challenged
• neared
• defied
• bearded

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of winced

Ohtani, who hasn’t pitched since July 3 due to lingering knee and biceps issues, winced in pain throughout his eight-pitch at-bat against reliever Riley O’Brien, seeming to strain himself with every muscle flex, let alone big-league hacks. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

My husband walked into the room and winced as one of the women changed into a perfect re-creation of an American Girl–doll outfit (very theater kid, not his thing). — Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2026

The French superstar winced after a free kick sailed over the goalpost in the 88th minute. — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026

The original originalists, the Constitution’s framers, would have winced. — George F. Will, Washington Post, 1 July 2026

After the ensuing pitch to Max Schuemann, Skubal again winced and began pacing at the back of the mound. — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 25 June 2026

James stretched his neck and winced. — Literary Hub, 18 June 2026

The Republican Congress — filled with Netanyahu fans and hawks eager to align with Israel — winced. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 8 June 2026

Vanderbilt was in a ton of pain, and even the Thunder bench winced at Vanderbilt’s hand. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026