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
Environmentalists cringe at the implications for climate change — electricity generation accounts for one-quarter of U.S. carbon emissions, according to the EPA — but miners welcome the shift.
—
Matthew Brown, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
But that's not all — the second half of the reunion also revealed a shocking unaired hookup (Josh lied!), an update on the end of the Vacation Alliance, more cringe moments from Laurel, and a potential answer to the biggest question of all: Who is the Challenge GOAT?
—EW.com, 23 Jan. 2025
Equally cringe is the decision to go with the same racist Romani story line from the ’41 movie, down to casting another white actor as Maleva, the wise old Romani woman who knows all about werewolves.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 Jan. 2025
Auditions Are 5 Minutes In a lengthier section that is a loving tribute to SNL’s many casts and performers, viewers see the first glimpses of the comics who have made the show soar — and many of the cast members are forced to watch along, frequently cringing with hands over their eyes.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cringe
Matthew Brown, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
But that's not all — the second half of the reunion also revealed a shocking unaired hookup (Josh lied!), an update on the end of the Vacation Alliance, more cringe moments from Laurel, and a potential answer to the biggest question of all: Who is the Challenge GOAT?
—EW.com, 23 Jan. 2025
Equally cringe is the decision to go with the same racist Romani story line from the ’41 movie, down to casting another white actor as Maleva, the wise old Romani woman who knows all about werewolves.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 Jan. 2025
Auditions Are 5 Minutes In a lengthier section that is a loving tribute to SNL’s many casts and performers, viewers see the first glimpses of the comics who have made the show soar — and many of the cast members are forced to watch along, frequently cringing with hands over their eyes.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cringe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cringe
Verb
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By the end of the performance, Andress could be seen tilting her head down, wincing.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
5 Mar. 2025
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The rapper could be seen slapping Rhodes hard on the side of the face, and Rhodes winced as soon as he was hit.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Lions were still losing, sure, but Campbell wasn’t flinching.—
Zak Keefer,
The Athletic,
15 Jan. 2025
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In the 18th episode of the show’s current season, the baller whose team is hoping to become the first NFL squad to win three Super Bowls in a row at the big game on Feb. 9 doesn’t flinch while reading a question about friendship bracelets.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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When Johnson was elected in early 2023, Chicago and the rest of the nation were still recoiling from the trauma of the pandemic, school and business lockdowns, and waves of street violence.—
Will Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2025
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In the trailer, Baldwin recoils in shock after being told that Hutchins did not survive the shooting.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Our cities deserve leadership that fights for them in the face of anti-American policies, not one who cowers in the face of right-wing pressure.—
Melissa Mark-Viverito,
New York Daily News,
5 Mar. 2025
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Though in just his second year in the league, Barry hardly cowered at the Cow Palace in the face of such famous competition.—
Daniel Brown,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to cringe
Cite this Entry
“Cringe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cringe. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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