wince

¹ American  

[wins] / wɪns /

verb (used without object)

winced, wincing

1. to draw back or tense the body, as from pain or from a blow; start; flinch.

   Synonyms:

   quail, blench

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noun

1. a wincing or shrinking movement; a slight start.

wince ² American  

[wins] / wɪns /

noun

1. winch.

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wince ¹ British  

/ wɪns /

verb

1. (intr) to start slightly, as with sudden pain; flinch

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noun

1. the act of wincing

wince ² British  

/ wɪns /

noun

1. a roller for transferring pieces of cloth between dyeing vats

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Related Words

Wince, recoil, shrink, quail all mean to draw back from what is dangerous, fearsome, difficult, threatening, or unpleasant. Wince suggests an involuntary contraction of the facial features triggered by pain, embarrassment, or a sense of revulsion: to wince as a needle pierces the skin; to wince at coarse language. Recoil denotes a physical movement away from something disgusting or shocking or a similar psychological shutting out or avoidance: to recoil from contact with a slimy surface; to recoil at the squalor and misery of the slum. Shrink may imply a fastidious or scrupulous avoidance of the distasteful or it may suggest cowardly withdrawal from what is feared: to shrink from confessing a crime; to shrink from going into battle. Quail suggests a loss of heart or courage in the face of danger or difficulty; it sometimes suggests trembling or other manifestations of physical disturbance: to quail before an angry mob.

Other Word Forms

• wincer noun
• wincingly adverb
• wincingness noun

Etymology

Origin of wince

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English winsen, variant of winchen, wenchen “to kick,” from unrecorded Anglo-French wenc(h)ier, Old French guenc(h)ier, from Germanic; wench, winch ¹

Example Sentences

It’s taking up space that could be used for food you actually want to eat — food that nourishes you, that doesn’t make you wince a little every time you see it.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2026

Those who wince at the idea of a blue-collar career change don’t necessarily look down on people who work with their hands.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

Almost instantly, you might wince, make a face, or even pull your own hand away.

From Science Daily • Dec. 23, 2025

He said Ms Ventura usually appeared comfortable, but sometimes Combs would give directions that would make her wince or sigh.

From BBC • Jul. 2, 2025

I give her a big hug, trying not to wince when she rubs against my G-tube.

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott

Related Words

• back off
• blanch
• cower
• cringe
• flinch
• grimace
• recoil