cringe

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as in to flinch
to draw back or crouch down in fearful submission the puppy cringed when his master raised the rolled-up newspaper

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cringe distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of cringe are cower, fawn, toady, and truckle. While all these words mean "to behave abjectly before a superior," cringe suggests a bowing or shrinking in fear or servility.

a cringing sycophant

When is cower a more appropriate choice than cringe?

The meanings of cower and cringe largely overlap; however, cower suggests a display of abject fear in the company of threatening or domineering people.

cowering before a bully

When could fawn be used to replace cringe?

Although the words fawn and cringe have much in common, fawn implies seeking favor by servile flattery or exaggerated attention.

waiters fawning over a celebrity

When might toady be a better fit than cringe?

In some situations, the words toady and cringe are roughly equivalent. However, toady suggests the attempt to ingratiate oneself by an abjectly menial or subservient attitude.

toadying to his boss

Where would truckle be a reasonable alternative to cringe?

The words truckle and cringe can be used in similar contexts, but truckle implies the subordination of oneself and one's desires or judgment to those of a superior.

truckling to a powerful lobbyist

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 cringe Blue state now 'in play' for Republicans MAJOR HEADLINES FIGHTING STANCE – Social media explodes as ‘cringe’ video of AOC and House Dems goes viral. Fox News, 7 Mar. 2025 As a job seeker, understanding what makes recruiters and hiring managers cringe could mean the difference between a job offer and a generic rejection email. Caroline Castrillon, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025 Woman's Awkward Handshake Caught on Camera By Alyce Collins Life and Trends Reporter Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 0 Internet users were left cringing in unison by a woman's awkward encounter with a fellow gym-goer that was caught on camera. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025 As someone from the African diaspora, my excitement was tempered by Hollywood's long history of mishandling stories from the continent, turning rich cultures into tired clichés that make many of us cringe. Susan Akyeampong, refinery29.com, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cringe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cringe
Verb
  • Then, their star sophomore went up for a rebound early in the second quarter and emerged from under the hoop wincing with pain, an image that inevitably conjured thoughts of the worst-case scenario.
    Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Everyone on the Duke sidelines held their collective breath as the star winced in pain.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But the Clippers didn’t flinch, shaking off an early 12-point deficit to beat the Cavs, 132-119, in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.
    Janis Carr, Orange County Register, 19 Mar. 2025
  • But at that moment, looking up from the examination table at Tina, her dark hair framing her unsmiling face, Lilian neither hesitated nor flinched.
    Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Arab states recoil at the notion of forcibly displacing Gazans and fear the destabilizing potential of absorbing Palestinian refugees.
    Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 13 Feb. 2025
  • But Tesla shares started really recoiling on January 21, the day after President Trump’s inauguration, when Musk took over as head of Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
    Matt Durot, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The top-grossing films of the ’90s, such as Titanic and Jurassic Park, had budgets that would cower in the face of the $300 million+ figures now seen from such fares as the Russo Brothers’ The Electric State, now streaming on Netflix.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2025
  • The track-only Bugatti Bolide is one of the very fastest cars in the world, topping out at a claimed 311 mph, which makes mere supercars cower in fear.
    Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cringe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cringe. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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