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flinch

1
[ flinch ]
/ flɪntʃ /
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See synonyms for: flinch / flinched 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.
verb (used with object)
to draw back or withdraw from.
noun
an act of flinching.
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Origin of flinch

1
First recorded in 1555–65; perhaps nasalized variant of dial. flitch to flit, shift one's position

OTHER WORDS FROM flinch

flincher, nounflinch·ing·ly, adverb

Other definitions for flinch (2 of 2)

flinch2
[ flinch ]
/ flɪntʃ /

verb (used with object)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use flinch in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for flinch (1 of 2)

flinch1
/ (flɪntʃ) /

verb (intr)
to draw back suddenly, as from pain, shock, etc; wincehe flinched as the cold water struck him
(often foll by from) to avoid contact (with); shy awayhe never flinched from his duty
noun
the act or an instance of drawing back
a card game in which players build sequences

Derived forms of flinch

flincher, nounflinchingly, adverb

Word Origin for flinch

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

British Dictionary definitions for flinch (2 of 2)

flinch2
/ (flɪntʃ) /

verb
a variant of flense
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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