cringe
to shrink back, bend, or crouch, especially in fear, pain, or servility; cower: She cringed in a corner and started praying. They cringed and bowed before the king.
to feel very embarrassed or awkward; react with discomfort: Some of us cringed at the speaker’s tactless comments.
to seek favor by acting in a servile way; fawn: He has never cringed to anyone—in fact, he can sometimes be a bully.
an act or instance of shrinking back, bending, or crouching: The gunshots elicited a cringe of terror.
an instance of being very embarrassed, awkward, or uncomfortable: Some of his outfits are bizarre enough to induce a cringe or two.
servile or fawning deference.
Slang. causing embarrassment or resulting in awkward discomfort; cringeworthy; cringey: Her attempt to rap at the talent show was so very cringe.
Origin of cringe
1Other words from cringe
- cring·er, noun
- cring·ing·ly, adverb
- cring·ing·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use cringe in a sentence
I am someone who cringes when I hear a description of a sprained ankle.
Why I Didn't Write About Gosnell's Trial--And Why I Should Have | Megan McArdle | April 12, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST“When his name is in the paper, he cringes,” says a Hill veteran.
He cringes at the thought of going on a talk show and does not particularly enjoy premiere walks along the red carpet.
I'll keep him and club him till he cringes and crawls at my feet.
Left on the Labrador | Dillon WallaceBut the slightest trial of his valour breaks the bubble, and he cringes like a whipped hound.
The Memoirs of Count Carlo Gozzi; Volume the first | Count Carlo Gozzi
He crawls and cringes and flatters and lies and swaggers and brags and tells of the influence he has in the ward he lives in.
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 9 (of 12) | Robert G. IngersollThe man who is catching up cringes instead of standing erect, he is suppliant instead of dominant.
Dollars and Sense | Col. Wm. C. HunterNow, with many an obeisance, he cringes timidly towards the foot of the das steps; and when the great man says Come!
A History of Chinese Literature | Herbert A. Giles
British Dictionary definitions for cringe
/ (krɪndʒ) /
to shrink or flinch, esp in fear or servility
to behave in a servile or timid way
informal
to wince in embarrassment or distaste
to experience a sudden feeling of embarrassment or distaste
the act of cringing
the cultural cringe Australian subservience to overseas cultural standards
Origin of cringe
1Derived forms of cringe
- cringer, noun
- cringingly, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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