cringe

verb

ˈkrinj How to pronounce cringe (audio)
Definition of cringenext
1
as in to wince
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust gruesome crime scene photos that made several jurors cringe

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to flinch
to draw back or crouch down in fearful submission the puppy cringed when his master raised the rolled-up newspaper

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cringe distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of cringe are cower, fawn, toady, and truckle. While all these words mean "to behave abjectly before a superior," cringe suggests a bowing or shrinking in fear or servility.

a cringing sycophant

When is cower a more appropriate choice than cringe?

The meanings of cower and cringe largely overlap; however, cower suggests a display of abject fear in the company of threatening or domineering people.

cowering before a bully

When could fawn be used to replace cringe?

Although the words fawn and cringe have much in common, fawn implies seeking favor by servile flattery or exaggerated attention.

waiters fawning over a celebrity

When might toady be a better fit than cringe?

In some situations, the words toady and cringe are roughly equivalent. However, toady suggests the attempt to ingratiate oneself by an abjectly menial or subservient attitude.

toadying to his boss

Where would truckle be a reasonable alternative to cringe?

The words truckle and cringe can be used in similar contexts, but truckle implies the subordination of oneself and one's desires or judgment to those of a superior.

truckling to a powerful lobbyist

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cringe The stranger’s curse seems intended to inflict pain not only on the snobbish Anna, who cringes at the slob her son has become, but her pushy husband Walter (Adriano Giannini). — Damon Wise, Deadline, 7 Sep. 2026 Sight and sound are the two senses that dominate any media-watching experience, and bad audio is enough to make your guests cringe and politely decline your next watch-party invitation. — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 16 July 2026 This Father's Day, break out these silly (and slightly cringe-y) one-liners, puns, riddles, and jokes. — Jamie Fischer, Parents, 20 June 2026 Enervated cuteness and tryhard sincerity define a whole new wave of musicians, from Pittsburgh rockers feeble little horse to cringe-pop upcycler Worldpeace DMT to SoundCloud producer MASSI, whose songs spill with the tiny adorable detail of a toy train set. — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for cringe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cringe
  1. wince
  2. flinch
  3. recoil
  4. cower
Verb
  • While uptight Elinor excels at hiding her feelings for the similarly taciturn Edward, Marianne goes wild (nearly feral, really) when new neighbor Willoughby saves her from physical injury (literally sweeping her off her feet and a wincing ankle).
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The financial bets are large enough for boards to wince at capital expenditure implications.
    — Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of wince
Verb
  • During the Wildcats' first attempt on the two-point conversion, a Kentucky player appeared to flinch, and while a flag was thrown, it was negated by a timeout called by the Wildcats.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • While Levi’s had been making a lot of noise about being a DTC-first retailer, in an interview with WWD, Gass emphasized the importance of a broad base and didn’t flinch away from what went wrong in DTC.
    — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of flinch
Verb
  • Apart from a few passengers who recoil in fear or surprise, the majority remain drowsy and indifferent.
    — Deadline, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
  • But the themes that motivate the party faithful may not sit well with independents, who tend to recoil against partisan rancor.
    — Julio Borquez, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of recoil
Verb
  • The prosecution said the trajectory of the bullet showed that Jean was either getting up from his couch or cowering when Guyger fired at him.
    — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Stuhlbarg, whose Vice President tends to cower in terror in the corner of the frame, becomes particularly evident as the movie’s comic secret weapon upon closer examination.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of cower

Browse Nearby Words

crimsons
cringe
cringe (at)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cringe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cringe. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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