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wince

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word wince distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of wince are blench, flinch, quail, recoil, and shrink. While all these words mean "to draw back in fear or distaste," wince suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction (such as a start or recoiling).

winced in pain

When would blench be a good substitute for wince?

In some situations, the words blench and wince are roughly equivalent. However, blench implies fainthearted flinching.

stood their ground without blenching

When might flinch be a better fit than wince?

While the synonyms flinch and wince are close in meaning, flinch implies a failure to endure pain or face something dangerous or frightening with resolution.

faced her accusers without flinching

Where would quail be a reasonable alternative to wince?

The meanings of quail and wince largely overlap; however, quail suggests shrinking and cowering in fear.

quailed before the apparition

When can recoil be used instead of wince?

Although the words recoil and wince have much in common, recoil implies a start or movement away through shock, fear, or disgust.

recoiled at the suggestion of stealing

When is it sensible to use shrink instead of wince?

The words shrink and wince can be used in similar contexts, but shrink suggests an instinctive recoil through sensitiveness, scrupulousness, or cowardice.

shrank from the unpleasant truth

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 wince
Verb
Everyone on the Duke sidelines held their collective breath as the star winced in pain. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025 By the end of the performance, Andress could be seen tilting her head down, wincing. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2025 The rapper could be seen slapping Rhodes hard on the side of the face, and Rhodes winced as soon as he was hit. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025 Then, midway through the second set, the defending Australian Open champion winced when running down a ball from the Danish No. 13 seed on his backhand side. Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wince
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wince
Verb
  • When confronted with this new, harsh reality, our state didn’t flinch.
    Wes Moore, Baltimore Sun, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Yes, there will be some wins, at least from an optics perspective, but especially with China neither Trump nor Xi wants to be the first to flinch.
    Chuck Jones, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Monday’s developments were greeted with grimace around town.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Amanda Seyfried’s face contorts into a grimace.
    Esther Zuckerman, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Markets recoiled at the developments, sending stocks into a vicious two-day sell-off that put the Nasdaq Composite, home to powerhouse Silicon Valley names that Trump has been courting in the early days of his second term, into a bear market.
    Erin Doherty,Annika Kim Constantino,Yun Li, CNBC, 5 Apr. 2025
  • When others recoiled in disgust from sick and suffering people, the Buddha cared for them, showing that healing and dignity come from love.
    Rabbi Dana Magat, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Shuffling feet, frowns or darting eyes signal discomfort and anxiety.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Below are some of the stocks JPMorgan frowns on: Vaccine maker Novavax is rated underweight by JPMorgan analysts.
    Pia Singh, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Fans were cringing, and not even Chandler’s signature optimism could mask what everyone was watching.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Jessica Biel is looking back on her 7th Heaven days — and cringing.
    EW.com, EW.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • A little over an hour later, Zalatoris walked out of the scoring building with a tight scowl.
    Brody Miller, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Dave comes off like a human scowl, and requires little of Liu besides completely tamping down any sense of natural charisma the Shang-Chi star has.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The Republican panelist, 53, dramatically swooned into the back of her chair after Jordan, 38, chose to lean forward and give her his best vampiric growl while discussing the Prohibition-era vampire horror film on Monday.
    Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Broody hens also cluck in a low tone, growl at other chickens when approached, and may keep their wings outstretched and their feathers puffed up.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In her trademark cat-eye glasses, with her bitter-lemon moue, Hoffman, as Moth, is comedy just standing there; Harada, as Mustardseed, a warmth machine.
    New York Times, New York Times, 24 Oct. 2021
  • Not just any moue, either, but a supermoue—a whole cultural attitude distilled into a single boffff.
    Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2020

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Cite this Entry

“Wince.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wince. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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