blenches
Shrinks back suddenly
Blenches is the third-person singular of blench, meaning to flinch or draw back from something frightening or unpleasant: She never blenches at the sight of blood.
The word is literary and somewhat old-fashioned, carrying a sense of visible recoiling or shrinking away.
He blenches whenever his past mistakes come up.
Reflexive recoil from distress
- cringeShrink from discomfort
- shrinkDecrease in size
- shudderConvulsive trembling from fear
- quailFlinch from fear
twitch · recoil · startle · grimace · flinch · jerk · cower · blanch
Backward force from discharge
- shrinkDecrease in size
- withdrawRemove or pull away
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
- repulseDrive back or disgust
shy away · pull back · turn away · avert · spurn · avoid · reject · shun
Hesitate or fluctuate
- falterLose momentum or steadiness
- hesitatePause in uncertainty
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
- vacillateWaver between choices
dither · balk · scruple · qualm · reluctance · doubt · uncertainty · indecision
wince
Reflexive recoil from distress
quail · twitch · recoil · startle · grimace · flinch · jerk · cower · blanch · tremble
recoil
Backward force from discharge
repulse · shy away · pull back · turn away · avert · spurn · avoid · reject · shun · backpedal
waver
Hesitate or fluctuate
vacillate · dither · balk · scruple · qualm · reluctance · doubt · uncertainty · indecision · timidity