cringe

[krinj]

verb (used without object)

cringed, cringing 

1. to shrink back, bend, or crouch, especially in fear, pain, or servility; cower: They cringed and bowed before the king.

   She cringed in a corner and started praying.

   They cringed and bowed before the king.

2. to feel very embarrassed or awkward; react with discomfort.

   Some of us cringed at the speaker’s tactless comments.

3. to seek favor by acting in a servile way; fawn.

   He has never cringed to anyone—in fact, he can sometimes be a bully.

noun

1. an act or instance of shrinking back, bending, or crouching.

   The gunshots elicited a cringe of terror.

2. an instance of being very embarrassed, awkward, or uncomfortable.

   Some of his outfits are bizarre enough to induce a cringe or two.

3. servile or fawning deference.

adjective

1. Slang.,  causing embarrassment or resulting in awkward discomfort; cringeworthy; cringey.

   Her attempt to rap at the talent show was so very cringe.

cringe

/ krɪndʒ /

verb

1. to shrink or flinch, esp in fear or servility

2. to behave in a servile or timid way

3. informal

   1. to wince in embarrassment or distaste

   2. to experience a sudden feeling of embarrassment or distaste

noun

1. the act of cringing

2. subservience to overseas cultural standards

Other Word Forms

• cringer noun
• cringingly adverb
• cringingness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cringe¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English crengen, crenchen (transitive); Old English crencean, crencgean (unattested), causative of cringan, crincan “to yield, fall (in battle)”

Word History and Origins

Origin of cringe¹

Old English cringan to yield in battle; related to Old Norse krangr weak, Middle High German krenken to weaken

Example Sentences

"I was in the studio and Lois texted me, 'By the way, we forgot our anniversary'," he cringes.

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From Sparkle Megan’s competing love interests to the dramatic breakups this season, all of the drama and the cringe were still present, even through this unusual viewing experience.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And his explicit lyrics – most of which are in Spanish – would make even the most ardent free speech warrior cringe.

Read more on Salon

If talking about circumcision makes you cringe, feel free to move along.

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But those who are familiar with and enjoy Robinson’s puckering brand of cringe are probably up for the challenge — which it is, in the best way.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• cower 
• kneel 
• quiver 
• tremble 
• wince