Synonyms of flinch

flinch 1 of 2

verb

ˈflinch 

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

• wince
• recoil
• cringe
• shudder
• tremble
• hesitate
• shrink
• blench
• shake
• quail
• quiver
• withdraw
• blanch
• retreat
• crouch
• quake
• squinch
• pale
• twitch
• falter
• whiten
• jerk
• recede
• waver
• retire
• reel
• start

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approach
• advance
• face
• confront
• challenge
• near
• beard
• defy

flinch

2 of 2

noun

1

as in wince

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wince
• grimace
• frown
• scowl
• growl
• snarl
• pout
• mow
• mouth
• moue
• smirk
• squinch
• lour
• lower
• face
• sneer
• stare
• snoot
• rictus
• scoff
• glare
• mug
• glower
• simper
• look

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• smile
• laugh
• grin

2

as in recoil

Synonyms & Similar Words

• recoil
• revulsion
• shrinking
• withdrawal
• disengagement
• rout
• retirement
• retreat
• pullout
• recession
• pullback
• disentanglement

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advance
• advancement

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

Recent Examples of flinch

Verb

In the 18th episode of the show’s current season, the baller whose team is hoping to become the first NFL squad to win three Super Bowls in a row at the big game on Feb. 9 doesn’t flinch while reading a question about friendship bracelets. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 29 Jan. 2025

In retrospect, figureheads may flinch at their own clumsiness in interviewing her. —Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025

Surtain lined up against some of the league’s best wide receivers, and didn’t flinch. —Ryan McFadden, The Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2025

But some California officials, including Vargas, didn’t flinch. —Alexandra Mendoza, The Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2024