flinch

¹

[flinch]

verb (used without object)

1. to draw back or shrink, as from what is dangerous, difficult, or unpleasant.

   Synonyms: blench, withdraw, recoil

2. to shrink under pain; wince.

3. Croquet.,  to let the foot slip from the ball in the act of croqueting.

verb (used with object)

1. to draw back or withdraw from.

noun

1. an act of flinching.

flinch

²

[flinch]

verb (used with object)

1. flense.

flinch

¹

/ flɪntʃ /

verb

1. to draw back suddenly, as from pain, shock, etc; wince

   he flinched as the cold water struck him

2. (often foll by from) to avoid contact (with); shy away

   he never flinched from his duty

noun

1. the act or an instance of drawing back

2. a card game in which players build sequences

flinch

²

/ flɪntʃ /

verb

1. a variant of flense

Other Word Forms

• flincher noun
• flinchingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of flinch¹

First recorded in 1555–65; perhaps nasalized variant of dial. flitch to flit, shift one's position

Word History and Origins

Origin of flinch¹

C16: from Old French flenchir ; related to Middle High German lenken to bend, direct

Example Sentences

I flinch and turn to see a woman who’s at least seven feet tall.

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Penelope flinched to hear her parents referred to so casually, but they did not seem to mind.

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If one flinched or looked in any way eager to leap at the giant bird, Mama Woof warned it back into position with a cuff from her massive paw.

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He flinched and noticed a sharp pain at the base of his neck.

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According to later reports, the spectators on the hillside flinched and covered their ears as the Mary Rose fired a broadside from its starboard side at one of the French vessels.

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Related Words

• balk 
• blanch 
• blink 
• cower 
• cringe 
• recoil