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.
have cringed
-
present perfectof cringe.present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
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.
But Cobain would almost certainly have cringed had he been able to envision a scene even as well-meaning as this one.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2018
This past week, my friends and I have cringed when we read about it and talked to each other.”
From Salon ● Oct. 5, 2018
This budgetary tightness is why Richmond insiders are skeptical of any political promises of big spending, and some have cringed at both candidates’ calls for tax cuts.
From Washington Post ● Oct. 24, 2017
Most heterosexual women who have played the online dating game have cringed or worse on occasion.
From New York Times ● Mar. 18, 2017
I should have cringed or felt embarrassed or angry at those two women, but at the time I just wanted to laugh.
From "Ugly" by Robert Hoge
