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

Even some backers of Proposition 50 flinched at the notion of sidelining the redistricting commission and undoing its painstaking, nonpartisan work.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Weakness, coupled with suspicion, brought on the clash when Louis flinched from using force.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“At night, you couldn’t even stand up straight anymore,” said Alvarado, flinching at the memory.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Through it all, one oil company didn’t flinch.

Read more on MarketWatch

Those who know Dombrowski best marvel at his ability to consume information from reports written about every player from the lowest rung of the minors to the big leagues and recall it without flinching.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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