cringe
verb (used without object)
to shrink back, bend, or crouch, especially in fear, pain, or servility; cower: They cringed and bowed before the king.
are cringing
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present progressiveof cringe.present progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or state that is currently taking place in the immediate present.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“We are cringing, as it could result in changes across our menus,” Ms. Hallman said.
From New York Times ● Apr. 25, 2024
Even some liberal economists are cringing a bit.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 4, 2023
And in an insult that sounds like it could have come straight from Exotic's lips, the pamphlet added that even Bailey's "performing lions are cringing, crawling, sneaking frauds."
From Salon ● Nov. 25, 2021
If you are cringing at all of this, you aren’t alone.
From Slate ● Mar. 20, 2017
"There are a lot of men who are cringing through life to-day because their women did not love them enough to cheer them on to fight in the Great Fight."
From The Trail of Conflict by Emilie Baker Loring
