wince

verb

ˈwin(t)s 

winced; wincing

intransitive verb

: to shrink back involuntarily (as from pain) : flinch

wince noun

Synonyms

• blench
• cringe
• flinch
• quail
• recoil
• shrink
• squinch

Choose the Right Synonym for wince

recoil, shrink, flinch, wince, blench, quail mean to draw back in fear or distaste.

recoil implies a start or movement away through shock, fear, or disgust.

recoiled at the suggestion of stealing

shrink suggests an instinctive recoil through sensitiveness, scrupulousness, or cowardice.

shrank from the unpleasant truth

flinch implies a failure to endure pain or face something dangerous or frightening with resolution.

faced her accusers without flinching

wince suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction (such as a start or recoiling).

winced in pain

blench implies fainthearted flinching.

stood their ground without blenching

quail suggests shrinking and cowering in fear.

quailed before the apparition

Examples of wince in a Sentence

winced at the movie's graphic depiction of combat injuries

Recent Examples on the Web

Eilish winced upon its impact, turning her head to show palpable disappointment. —Caroline Thayer, Fox News, 16 Dec. 2024

The two of them winced when a gunman raised his rifle with one hand into the air and let loose a salvo. —Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024

During our first pee break, Emma squatted in a patch of stinging nettles and shot upright again, wincing. —Steven Potter, Outside Online, 19 Nov. 2024

Native artists winced two years ago when Gilbert Ortega Jr. accosted Native performers in front of his store in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona, during a Super Bowl promotion. —Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wynsen to kick out, start, from Anglo-French *wincer, *guincer to shift direction, dodge, by-form of guenchir, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German wenken, wankōn to totter — more at wench

First Known Use

circa 1748, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

wince

verb

ˈwin(t)s 

winced; wincing

: to shrink back (as from pain) : flinch

the cut on my leg caused me to wince

the crowd winced when the skater fell on the ice

wince noun