flinch
1to draw back or shrink, as from what is dangerous, difficult, or unpleasant.
to shrink under pain; wince.
Croquet. to let the foot slip from the ball in the act of croqueting.
to draw back or withdraw from.
an act of flinching.
Origin of flinch
1Other words for flinch
Other words from flinch
- flincher, noun
- flinch·ing·ly, adverb
Other definitions for flinch (2 of 2)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use flinch in a sentence
You probably flinched when you first heard that your group became locked in combat with other Muslims more than it was with Assad.
An Ex-Radical's Open Letter to ISIS Fighters: Quit Now While You Can! | Maajid Nawaz | September 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe normally cool and calm director of the CIA, John Brennan, may have flinched Tuesday.
At the [Israeli] embassy he took two bullets and he never flinched.
Ahdaf Soueif’s Cairo: Remembering A City Wracked By The Arab Spring | Ahdaf Soueif | January 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWhereas with this video, because it is so incredibly colorful, they never flinched.
How Nirvana Shot the ‘Heart-Shaped Box’ Video | Andrew Romano | September 13, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTWhen Roberts opted for restraint, they were distressed, as though he had somehow flinched from his duty.
The Media Man-Crush on John Roberts, Conservative Who Saved Obamacare | Howard Kurtz | July 2, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
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 HasseCash flinched again, wavered, swallowed twice, and got up so abruptly that Lovin Child sat down again with a plunk.
Cabin Fever | B. M. BowerHis whole appearance revealed terrific passions, and an audacity that flinched at nothing.
Catherine de' Medici | Honore de BalzacLeonard looked at her, and for some reason his eyes flinched.
Four Days | Hetty HemenwayUnder this imputation on her straightness Miriam flinched but for an instant.
The Tragic Muse | Henry James
British Dictionary definitions for flinch (1 of 2)
/ (flɪntʃ) /
to draw back suddenly, as from pain, shock, etc; wince: he flinched as the cold water struck him
(often foll by from) to avoid contact (with); shy away: he never flinched from his duty
the act or an instance of drawing back
a card game in which players build sequences
Origin of flinch
1Derived forms of flinch
- flincher, noun
- flinchingly, adverb
British Dictionary definitions for flinch (2 of 2)
/ (flɪntʃ) /
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
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