cringey

American  

[krin-jee] / ˈkrɪn dʒi /

Or cringy

adjective

Informal.

1. causing a reaction or feeling of embarrassment, awkwardness, or discomfort; cringeworthy.

   The movie brought back my cringey middle school memories.

2. seeking favor by means of servile behavior or flattery.

   His talk show is mostly cringey interviews with celebrities.

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Etymology

Origin of cringey

First recorded in 1965–70; cringe ( def. ) + -y ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Mason describes Noah as “super funny but respectful — and not cringey funny, which is important for our show.”

From Los Angeles Times

Something similar played out a few years back with Geriatric Millennials, born in the early '80s, whose brand of humour—the crying-laughing emoji, finger moustaches and the word "adulting"—was derided as cringey.

From BBC

Women’s March in 2017, and I saw every race, gender and age marching, cringey pink hats and all.

From Salon

"We got our first gig as a band in early 2017 and had a different, very cringey name," he explains.

From BBC

Subpar acting and cringey line deliveries further bury the picture.

From Los Angeles Times