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.
had cringed
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past perfectof cringe.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
I had cringed at the idea that a computer could replace years of intensive composition study to generate great music.
From Slate ● Mar. 22, 2019
Men should be strong, brave, austere; yet her crippled professor father had cringed before pain, screaming shrilly on his deathbed: "I won't die, I won't, I won't, I won't!"
From Time Magazine Archive
The newsmen packed up their gear, relieving Molly, who had cringed at the thought of being photographed in her laden condition and having to brace up for a royal reception in Sweden.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
She had cringed at Mrs. Moncure's smiling innuendo; now the scathing indictment was burning itself on her brain.
From The Long Lane's Turning by Hallie Erminie Rives
There were men who had cringed to him, and whom he had rewarded.
From Lady Connie by Mrs. Humphry Ward
