1
as in flinched
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust
we quailed when the waiter unexpectedly presented us with a hindquarter of frog's legs
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quailed
Verb
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Gorajski flinched and ducked out of the way like Cisek was an incoming meteor.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026 -
Her coach never flinched, as Kara Lawson basked in the joy of winning such a big game in a city that has embraced her.—
Joe Davidson
March 27,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For a decade, viewers have cringed at Amanda Batula and Kyle Cooke’s rocky relationship, the dénouement of which is currently playing out on season ten of Summer House.—
Rebecca Jennings,
Vulture,
1 Apr. 2026
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And the mother of Carter, a 5-year-old boy, cringed in fear when Carter (who was celebrating his birthday) was approached at a neighborhood bike park by a group of much older boys.—
Chris John Amorosino,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Investors recoiled out of fears of an endless quagmire.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
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When Paramount debuted a first look at the film in 2019, online commentators recoiled at the speedy hedgehog’s human teeth and odd facial features.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Grunloh winced when asked about the team’s struggles.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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Forrest pushed it and winced as tear gas sprayed.—
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Quailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quailed. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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