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
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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.
Johnson and his fellow reformers would have cringed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2022
For decades, Ukrainians have cringed as Russians embraced Tchaikovsky as their own.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 10, 2022
Even a few months ago, most of us would have cringed at the thought of bowling a few frames with strangers in close proximity.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 3, 2021
My friends and I have cringed when we read about it and talked to each other.
From Salon ● Sep. 29, 2018
He would have cringed at the sight of the intruder’s weapon, whimpered, and crept away.
From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote
