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.
cringingly
-
a word derived from
cringe.
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.
The dialogue in these cringingly hilarious scenes sparks off the page with such vibrancy that I felt as if I were in the room where it happened.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 13, 2022
The son who cringingly rapped at an event celebrating his dad’s half-century reign at Waystar Royco was always damaged goods.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 2, 2021
They didn’t know that I was a miserable, cringingly awkward kid whose voice often creaked with nervousness.
From Slate ● May 31, 2021
Turns out they had just pulled a prank on Weird Al: Knowing how cringingly awkward he was, they had sneaked in while he was showering and stolen his clothes.
From New York Times ● Apr. 9, 2020
And he’s a terrible singer—just cringingly, comically bad.
From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli
