as in flinched
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust
winced at the movie's graphic depiction of combat injuries
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Recent Examples of winced
Grunloh winced when asked about the team’s struggles.
—
Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Forrest pushed it and winced as tear gas sprayed.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
The issue became apparent at 4-4 in the third set, when Alcaraz winced after stretching for a volley and a match that had appeared a foregone conclusion spun on its axis.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
The hard-drinking, hyper-sensitive Fitzgerald himself would have winced at any of the five adaptations of The Great Gatsby.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
Charleigh inwardly winced and froze in place, hand still on the knob.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
Even some on the right have winced at the politics.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Forrest pushed it and winced as tear gas sprayed.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
The issue became apparent at 4-4 in the third set, when Alcaraz winced after stretching for a volley and a match that had appeared a foregone conclusion spun on its axis.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
The hard-drinking, hyper-sensitive Fitzgerald himself would have winced at any of the five adaptations of The Great Gatsby.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
Charleigh inwardly winced and froze in place, hand still on the knob.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
Even some on the right have winced at the politics.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winced
Verb
-
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
-
Even as Michigan State came roaring back in the second half, cutting the lead to just two in the final minute, UCLA never flinched.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Investors recoiled out of fears of an endless quagmire.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
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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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
Cite this Entry
“Winced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winced. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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