twinge

[ twinj ]

/ twɪndʒ /

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See synonyms for: twinge / twinged / twinging on Thesaurus.com

noun

a sudden, sharp pain: On damp days, he's often bothered by a twinge of rheumatism.

a mental or emotional pang: a twinge of guilt; twinges of sorrow.

verb (used with object), twinged, twing·ing.

to affect (the body or mind) with a sudden, sharp pain or pang.

to pinch; tweak; twitch.

verb (used without object), twinged, twing·ing.

to have or feel a sudden, sharp pain.

OTHER WORDS FOR twinge

1 spasm, cramp, pang, stab.

See synonyms for twinge on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of twinge

before 1000; Middle English twengen to pinch, Old English twengan

Words nearby twinge

twin city, twine, twin-engine, Twin Falls, twinflower, twinge, twi-night, twi-nighter, Twining, twinjet, twink

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use twinge in a sentence

She had just arrived in Ireland for a trip in 2018 when she started feeling a twinge at the base of her pinkie.
How to avoid ‘smartphone pinkie’ and other pains and problems from being glued to your phone|Allyson Chiu|October 29, 2021|Washington Post
You can prime your muscles to avoid the painful twinge of startled neurons, according to Jeffrey Jenkins, a physiologist at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.
You can injure yourself stretching—but it’s not easy|empire|July 8, 2021|Popular-Science
Some saw him as a mentor, others as a collaborator, me with the twinge of regret for not being remotely brave enough to appreciate the brief window into this gentle giant for the luck of the encounter.
Gillmor Gang: Days Go By|Steve Gillmor|April 9, 2021|TechCrunch
That night as I got into bed I had a twinge of regret, but told myself that once she was in the care center, interviewing her would be the perfect activity for a visit, an excellent way to pass a few hours.
What I Wish I’d Done Before I Lost My Daughter and Mother|Maryanne O’Hara|April 8, 2021|Time

There’s a unique twinge of betrayal at the core of whatever Levine’s death has left me holding.
James Levine was a powerful maestro, but an even more powerful myth|Michael Andor Brodeur|March 17, 2021|Washington Post
Impossibly, even through thick glass, I felt a twinge of vertigo.
Philippe Petit’s Moment of Concern Walking the WTC Tightrope|Anthony Haden-Guest|August 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Kandynce remained where she was and evidenced not a twinge of self-pity.
Killed by Donald Sterling’s Racism|Michael Daly|May 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But he acknowledges a twinge of regret during the newsroom announcement Thursday.
Jill Abramson: The NYT's New Executive Editor|Howard Kurtz|June 2, 2011|DAILY BEAST
What Rock created, then, is a twinge of nostalgia for a twinge of nostalgia.
Gwyneth Paltrow and the Rise of the Country Carpetbagger|Bryan Curtis|January 6, 2011|DAILY BEAST
They no doubt felt a twinge of satisfaction but it could only have been momentary.
How to Get Revenge Online|Lucy Knight|December 3, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The Colonel's countenance fell, and there was an awful twinge in his foot, but he didn't mind it.
The Cromptons|Mary J. Holmes
He was not sure whether Bruslart had spoken the truth, he did not much care, yet he felt a twinge of conscience.
The Light That Lures|Percy Brebner
Not the most discerning observer would have imagined he felt a twinge of regret over his failure.
Red Pepper Burns|Grace S. Richmond
She had a sudden twinge of jealousy, swallowed up by an immense tenderness.
Four Days|Hetty Hemenway
Such a twinge came to him now as he watched the stout figure at the table.
The Daffodil Mystery|Edgar Wallace

British Dictionary definitions for twinge

twinge

/ (twɪndʒ) /

noun

a sudden brief darting or stabbing pain

a sharp emotional panga twinge of guilt

verb

to have or cause to have a twinge

(tr) obsolete to pinch; tweak

Word Origin for twinge

Old English twengan to pinch; related to Old High German zwengen

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

twinge

OTHER WORDS FOR twinge

Origin of twinge

Words nearby twinge

Words related to twinge

How to use twinge in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for twinge

Word Origin for twinge