as in flinching
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 wincing
The actress was shown wincing in pain before being escorted out of the ballroom on a stretcher into an ambulance.
—
Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
In that moment, Dupree involuntarily punches him and the pair go quiet as Dooley cusses and bends over wincing in pain.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
Perhaps tearing originally grew out of a physiological reflex that restored moisture to the eyes and nasal passages after they had been dried out by the pressure of wincing or the hyperventilation of arousal.
—Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025
Democrats – and some Republicans – are wincing at the idea that millions of people soon may not be able to afford health insurance.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Immediately, Moore was on the ground and wincing in pain.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Not to mention wincing in pain any time another museum donation gets shipped off.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
Aramayo is excellent in the role, easily transversing between John’s pain and confusion and a wincing humor about the whole situation.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Worthy was in immediate pain on the turf and could be seen on the Chiefs' sideline hanging his right shoulder down and wincing.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
In that moment, Dupree involuntarily punches him and the pair go quiet as Dooley cusses and bends over wincing in pain.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
Perhaps tearing originally grew out of a physiological reflex that restored moisture to the eyes and nasal passages after they had been dried out by the pressure of wincing or the hyperventilation of arousal.
—Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025
Democrats – and some Republicans – are wincing at the idea that millions of people soon may not be able to afford health insurance.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Immediately, Moore was on the ground and wincing in pain.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Not to mention wincing in pain any time another museum donation gets shipped off.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
Aramayo is excellent in the role, easily transversing between John’s pain and confusion and a wincing humor about the whole situation.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Worthy was in immediate pain on the turf and could be seen on the Chiefs' sideline hanging his right shoulder down and wincing.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wincing
Verb
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Ross passed the day's examination with flying colors – barely flinching at the rubber chicken.—
Laura L. Davis,
Nashville Tennessean,
6 Oct. 2025
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Skubal, apparently flinching with the noise, balked for only the second time in his career.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Bassist Franz Lyons, standing nearby onstage, is seen recoiling and shielding his eyes from the dispersing spray.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Americans are recoiling from the Democratic Party, and even in blue states like Colorado, Democrats are feeling the burn.—
The Denver Post Editorial Board,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Encouraged to see Jones sorta respond, Mackie kept babbling on and on and on about his dad, unaware that everyone else in the room was cringing.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
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But the aftermath of the videos left many Democrats cringing, Republican candidates pouncing, and political observers wondering how voters would respond.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wincing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wincing. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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