cringe
Wince from embarrassment
Cringe is to shrink back or flinch, usually from fear, disgust, or embarrassment: She cringed when he started singing.
The reaction can be physical or purely emotional.
As slang, cringe describes something painfully awkward or embarrassing: That video is so cringe.
Cringeworthy and cringey are related adjectives.
To cringe at a memory is to wince at your past self.
Backward force from discharge
- shrinkDecrease in size
- flinchInvoluntary retreat from threat
- cowerShrink back in dread
- winceReflexive recoil from distress
shudder · grimace · fetal position · curl up · draw back · shrivel · hunch · withdraw
Intense shame or embarrassment
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- blushFacial reddening from emotion
- flusteredNervously upset and confused
- chagrinDistress from wounded pride
sheepish · red-faced · secondhand · vicarious · awkwardness · self-conscious · disconcerted · abashment
Inducing vicarious embarrassment
- tryhardOne who tries excessively
- secondhand embarrassmentCringing for another person
- awkwardLacking grace or ease
- painfulCausing hurt or ache
unbearable · train wreck · yikes · oof · bruh moment · chronically online · edgelord · normie
Intense physical disgust
- nauseaPre-vomiting stomach discomfort
- loathingIntense, settled disgust
- aversionIntense dislike or repugnance
- repulsionDisgust or pushing-away force
revolting · repugnant · distaste · nauseating · gross · ick · visceral · stomach-turning
Shrink back in dread
- grovelHumble oneself servilely
- fawnYoung deer, or flatter
- submissiveReadily yielding to control
- timidLacking courage or confidence
servile · obsequious · kowtow · shrink · tremble · quail · meek · deferential
recoil
Backward force from discharge
wince · shudder · grimace · fetal position · curl up · draw back · shrivel · hunch · withdraw · tense
mortification
Intense shame or embarrassment
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- blushFacial reddening from emotion
- flusteredNervously upset and confused
chagrin · sheepish · red-faced · secondhand · vicarious · awkwardness · self-conscious · disconcerted · abashment · crestfallen
cringey
Inducing vicarious embarrassment
- tryhardOne who tries excessively
- secondhand embarrassmentCringing for another person
- awkwardLacking grace or ease
painful · unbearable · train wreck · yikes · oof · bruh moment · chronically online · edgelord · normie · corny
revulsion
Intense physical disgust
- nauseaPre-vomiting stomach discomfort
- loathingIntense, settled disgust
- aversionIntense dislike or repugnance
repulsion · revolting · repugnant · distaste · nauseating · gross · ick · visceral · stomach-turning · off-putting
cower
Shrink back in dread
- grovelHumble oneself servilely
- fawnYoung deer, or flatter
- submissiveReadily yielding to control
timid · servile · obsequious · kowtow · shrink · tremble · quail · meek · deferential · bootlicker
- disgustdisgust, disgusting, disgusted, revulsion, repulsion
- jokesjokes, joke, puns, one-liners, pun
- Modern Slangslang, jargon, buzzwords, neologisms, internet slang
- Neologismsselfie, blog, vlog, podcast, hashtag
- reflexesreflex, reflexes, reflex action, reflex response, quick reflexes
- internet memesdoge, Pepe, trollface, rickroll, rage comics
cringestretch
Pull to extend
expand · straighten · stand tall · extend · advance
cringeconfront
Face squarely, address directly
face · defy · challenge · stand firm · stand one's ground
cringestrut
Proud, showy gait
swagger · hold one's head high · preen · assert oneself · bask
- cringe comedyComedy exploiting secondhand embarrassment
- cringe humorComedy exploiting awkward situations
- cringe contentUncomfortable material to witness
- cringe comediesEntertainment built on awkwardness
cringing, cringe comedy, cringed, cringes, cringeworthy, cringy, cringer, cringingly