flinch 1 of 2

verb

ˈflinch How to pronounce flinch (audio)
Definition of flinchnext
as in to wince
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust there are some patients who flinch at the mere sight of a needle

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flinch

2 of 2

noun

1
as in wince

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in recoil

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word flinch distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of flinch are blench, quail, recoil, shrink, and wince. While all these words mean "to draw back in fear or distaste," flinch implies a failure to endure pain or face something dangerous or frightening with resolution.

faced her accusers without flinching

When can blench be used instead of flinch?

While in some cases nearly identical to flinch, blench implies fainthearted flinching.

stood their ground without blenching

When would quail be a good substitute for flinch?

The words quail and flinch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, quail suggests shrinking and cowering in fear.

quailed before the apparition

In what contexts can recoil take the place of flinch?

In some situations, the words recoil and flinch are roughly equivalent. However, recoil implies a start or movement away through shock, fear, or disgust.

recoiled at the suggestion of stealing

When might shrink be a better fit than flinch?

While the synonyms shrink and flinch are close in meaning, shrink suggests an instinctive recoil through sensitiveness, scrupulousness, or cowardice.

shrank from the unpleasant truth

When is wince a more appropriate choice than flinch?

Although the words wince and flinch have much in common, wince suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction (such as a start or recoiling).

winced in pain

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 flinch
Verb
Eli doesn’t flinch at their graphic vulgarity but smiles warmly and appreciatively, as only John Goodman can smile. —Scott Tobias, Vulture, 5 May 2025 On April 16, Nvidia announced the multibillion-dollar charge — and markets flinched. —Catherine Baab, Quartz, 16 Apr. 2025 Amid tension over OpenAI’s corporate structure, the organization’s corporate development hasn’t so much as flinched. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025 Ariane’s first instinctive reaction to her mother’s extended hand is to flinch. —Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for flinch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flinch
  1. wince
  2. grimace
  3. recoil
  4. cringe
  5. frown
  6. revulsion
  7. scowl
  8. growl
Verb
  • Harper crumbled to one knee, wincing in anguish, as Phillies fans quaked with their worst possible nightmare — that their superstar first-baseman is seriously injured.
    — Anthony Stitt, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • Scheffler was seen wincing in pain after his tee shot on the second hole at Colonial Country Club during the second round of the Charles Schwab Challenge.
    — Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Definition of wince
Noun
  • Throughout baseball history, such collisions have been met mostly with grimaces and shrugs.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Monday’s developments were greeted with grimace around town.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of grimace
Noun
  • Thus, when leaders mimic empathetic phrases without genuine feeling, teams subconsciously recoil, cementing emotional barriers.
    — Sahar Andrade, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • Perhaps the most controversial change coming this wipe is the new recoil system.
    — Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of recoil
Verb
  • Valerie often allowed her vanity and delusion to stand in her way, but also has a certain purity in her desire for mainstream success; viewers on the show’s wavelength might alternately cringe, laugh and feel deeply for her over the course of just a few minutes.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 5 June 2025
  • Come laugh, cringe, and cry through the unfiltered mess no one warned you about.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 3 June 2025
Definition of cringe
Noun
  • Young visitors at the Vietnam Military History Museum posted photos of themselves next to the flag with deep frowns, thumbs down or middle fingers raised.
    — Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
  • In this community, mention of President Trump elicits shudders, frowns or blank stares.
    — Kurt Streeter, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Definition of frown
Noun
  • Given teenage revulsion if not denial at the thought of aging, this might be the scariest moment in the entire series.
    — Bruce Handy, Vulture, 20 May 2025
  • The recognition of their similarity seems to breed revulsion, not solidarity.
    — Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of revulsion
Noun
  • Rossini has replaced disdain with dedication and swapped out scowls for smiles.
    — Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 22 May 2025
  • That whoop-ass machine is played with a fierce scowl by MMA fighter Michelle Waterson.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025
Definition of scowl
Noun
  • One witness tried to give him a life preserver, and another tried to speak with him but received a growl in response, according to the sheriff.
    — Alex Sundby May 26, CBS News, 26 May 2025
  • Stalking Lincoln Center in a pair of combat boots, Cheyenne speaks her mind in a low growl, fires every male dance partner NYMB artistic director Jack McMillan (Luke Kirby) has to offer, and sleeps with her new collaborator on Jack’s couch.
    — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 13 May 2025
Definition of growl

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flimsy
flinch
flinched
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Cite this Entry

“Flinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flinch. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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