1
as in to wince
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust
gruesome crime scene photos that made several jurors cringe
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cringe
And everyone would cringe at the thought of disappointing their colleagues.
—
Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025
So many artists feel a little bit cringe about something about their debut album.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025
While Timothy's family didn't think twice about his odd behavior — Victoria laughed and rolled her eyes, Saxon laughed, Lochlan cringed, and Piper hid her face in embarrassment — Isaacs spent a long time thinking about what has led his character to this rock bottom moment.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2025
Blue state now 'in play' for Republicans MAJOR HEADLINES
FIGHTING STANCE – Social media explodes as ‘cringe’ video of AOC and House Dems goes viral.
—Fox News, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cringe
Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025
So many artists feel a little bit cringe about something about their debut album.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025
While Timothy's family didn't think twice about his odd behavior — Victoria laughed and rolled her eyes, Saxon laughed, Lochlan cringed, and Piper hid her face in embarrassment — Isaacs spent a long time thinking about what has led his character to this rock bottom moment.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2025
Blue state now 'in play' for Republicans MAJOR HEADLINES
FIGHTING STANCE – Social media explodes as ‘cringe’ video of AOC and House Dems goes viral.
—Fox News, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cringe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cringe
Verb
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Just look at what could’ve been the game-winning 3-pointer: The entire nation, minus Gator fans, winced at that.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
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City officials winced at the thought of heavy military equipment rolling on streets.—
Cuneyt Dil,
Axios,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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When UConn, national champs the last two years, appears on the screen on Selection Sunday, probably as a No. 8 seed, their first-, and potential second-round opponent may flinch, for a moment, at seeing the Huskies’ brand in their bracket.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2025
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Witnesses to Utah’s last firing squad execution recently recalled to NBC News the sound of rapid gunfire in the chamber and how the inmate, Ronnie Lee Gardner, appeared to flinch and move his arm after being shot.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC News,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Markets recoiled at the developments, sending stocks into a vicious two-day sell-off that put the Nasdaq Composite, home to powerhouse Silicon Valley names that Trump has been courting in the early days of his second term, into a bear market.—
Erin Doherty,Annika Kim Constantino,Yun Li,
CNBC,
5 Apr. 2025
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When others recoiled in disgust from sick and suffering people, the Buddha cared for them, showing that healing and dignity come from love.—
Rabbi Dana Magat,
The Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Through the video, she is shown cowering in the corner of her enclosure, staying close to the wall.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Apr. 2025
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The newspaper, controlled by Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, depicted Alinejad cowering in fear beneath the captive forms of two dissidents the regime had lured back to Iran from exile and executed.—
Karl Vick,
TIME,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cringe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cringe. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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