Synonyms Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for flinch on Thesaurus.com verb (used without object) to draw back or shrink, as from what is dangerous, difficult, or unpleasant. to shrink under pain; wince. Croquet to let the foot slip from the ball in the act of croqueting. Show More
to draw back or withdraw from. Show More
Origin of flinch 1 First recorded in 1555–65; perhaps nasalized variant of dial. flitch to flit, shift one's position
Related forms flinch·er , noun flinch·ing·ly , adverb Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for flinch blanch ,
balk ,
cower ,
blink ,
recoil ,
cringe ,
swerve ,
crouch ,
escape ,
avoid ,
retire ,
recede ,
evade ,
elude ,
start ,
eschew ,
blench ,
withdraw ,
duck ,
shun Examples from the Web for flinch Contemporary Examples of flinch Kenyatta made a Bush-like vow to continue the war on Al-Shabab, saying, “We will not flinch .”
We pressed here and watched it kick and then we pressed there and watched it flinch .
But even his biggest defenders will flinch at the assaults, sexual or not, that Joe has to endure in Nymphomaniac.
Many young men will risk death rather than be seen by their peers to flinch from a fight.
The familiar tone of wary bewilderment made me flinch a little.
Historical Examples of flinch His duty lay very plain before him, and he would not flinch .
Not this time would I flinch from what consequences might follow.
The perfume of violet scent was almost unbearable, but he did not flinch .
Yet she did not flinch , nor did a single symptom of panic or fear cross her face.
It was a painful journey downstairs, but Polly did not flinch .
British Dictionary definitions for flinch to draw back suddenly, as from pain, shock, etc; wince he flinched as the cold water struck him (often foll by from) to avoid contact (with); shy away he never flinched from his duty Show More
the act or an instance of drawing back a card game in which players build sequences Show More
Derived Forms flincher , noun flinchingly , adverb Word Origin for flinch C16: from Old French flenchir ; related to Middle High German lenken to bend, direct
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for flinch v. 1570s, from obsolete flecche "to bend, flinch," probably from Old French flenchir "to bend," probably from Frankish *hlankjan or some other Germanic source (cf. Middle High German linken , German lenken "to bend, turn, lead"), from PIE root *kleng- "to bend, turn" (see link (n.)). Related: Flinched ; flinching . As a noun, from 1817.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
