flinch

1
[ flinch ]
See synonyms for: flinchflinched on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)
  1. to draw back or shrink, as from what is dangerous, difficult, or unpleasant.

  2. to shrink under pain; wince.

  1. Croquet. to let the foot slip from the ball in the act of croqueting.

verb (used with object)
  1. to draw back or withdraw from.

noun
  1. an act of flinching.

Origin of flinch

1
First recorded in 1555–65; perhaps nasalized variant of dial. flitch to flit, shift one's position

Other words for flinch

Other words from flinch

  • flincher, noun
  • flinch·ing·ly, adverb

Other definitions for flinch (2 of 2)

flinch2
[ flinch ]

verb (used with object)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use flinch in a sentence

  • Pederson then straightened up slowly, a muscle in his face flinched and then he smiled—with all but his eyes.

    We're Friends, Now | Henry Hasse
  • Cash flinched again, wavered, swallowed twice, and got up so abruptly that Lovin Child sat down again with a plunk.

    Cabin Fever | B. M. Bower
  • His whole appearance revealed terrific passions, and an audacity that flinched at nothing.

    Catherine de' Medici | Honore de Balzac
  • Leonard looked at her, and for some reason his eyes flinched.

    Four Days | Hetty Hemenway
  • Under this imputation on her straightness Miriam flinched but for an instant.

    The Tragic Muse | Henry James

British Dictionary definitions for flinch (1 of 2)

flinch1

/ (flɪntʃ) /


verb(intr)
  1. to draw back suddenly, as from pain, shock, etc; wince: he flinched as the cold water struck him

  2. (often foll by from) to avoid contact (with); shy away: he never flinched from his duty

noun
  1. the act or an instance of drawing back

  2. a card game in which players build sequences

Origin of flinch

1
C16: from Old French flenchir; related to Middle High German lenken to bend, direct

Derived forms of flinch

  • flincher, noun
  • flinchingly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for flinch (2 of 2)

flinch2

/ (flɪntʃ) /


verb
  1. a variant of flense

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