cringey
Americanadjective
-
causing a reaction or feeling of embarrassment, awkwardness, or discomfort; cringeworthy.
The movie brought back my cringey middle school memories.
-
seeking favor by means of servile behavior or flattery.
His talk show is mostly cringey interviews with celebrities.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of cringey
First recorded in 1965–70; cringe ( def. ) + -y 1 ( def. )
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.
While Dr. Fauci’s journal included serious reflections on the pandemic, parts read like a cringey entry from a pubescent teen’s high-school drama.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
Talarico recently said some of his past comments “missed the mark,” and he accused Paxton of “intentionally clipping my cringey comments to distract from his career of corruption.”
From Salon ● Jun. 17, 2026
It’s so overly consultant-speak cringey that I can clearly picture a corporate off-site meeting about to go into breakout sessions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 26, 2026
That was unexpected and made me feel terrible for him, but again, I was grateful I didn’t have to watch the cringey moment.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2025
The rest of the movie, you share snacks with Lucy, rolling your eyes together at a cringey line, whispering about sea turtles and climate change.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
