cringe-worthy
Hard to watch
Cringe-worthy describes something so awkward, embarrassing, or painfully uncomfortable that it makes you cringe—that involuntary wince of secondhand embarrassment: His cringe-worthy attempt at humor silenced the room.
The word applies to social missteps, failed jokes, tone-deaf comments, or anything that triggers vicarious discomfort.
Also spelled cringeworthy.
Lacking grace or ease
- embarrassingCausing awkward self-consciousness
- uncomfortableCausing unease or distress
- faux pasSocial misstep or indiscretion
- blunderFoolish, costly mistake
gaffe · secondhand embarrassment · mortifying · tactless · inappropriate · tone-deaf · foot-in-mouth · oversharing
Vulgar or slightly sticky
- gaudyTastelessly ornate
- datedOld-fashioned or courted
- unfashionableNot currently stylish
- kitschTasteless, garish art
tasteless · garish · outdated · passé · eyesore · cliché · unoriginal · derivative
Unconvincing theatrical performance
- off-keyWrong pitch, musically
- amateurNonprofessional participant
- overwroughtExcessively emotional or elaborate
- melodramaticExaggeratedly emotional in expression
hammy · corny · cheesy · forced · stilted · wooden · overacted · dad dancing
Printing mistake
- autocorrect failUnwanted word replacement
- drunk textIntoxicated digital correspondence
- oversharingRevealing too much personally
- thirst trapProvocative post seeking attention
unsolicited · screenshot · receipts · ratio · main character · cancelled · callout · copypasta
awkward
Lacking grace or ease
- embarrassingCausing awkward self-consciousness
- uncomfortableCausing unease or distress
- faux pasSocial misstep or indiscretion
blunder · gaffe · secondhand embarrassment · mortifying · tactless · inappropriate · tone-deaf · foot-in-mouth · oversharing · unwanted attention
tacky
Vulgar or slightly sticky
- gaudyTastelessly ornate
- datedOld-fashioned or courted
- unfashionableNot currently stylish
kitsch · tasteless · garish · outdated · passé · eyesore · cliché · unoriginal · derivative · try-hard
bad acting
Unconvincing theatrical performance
- off-keyWrong pitch, musically
- amateurNonprofessional participant
- overwroughtExcessively emotional or elaborate
melodramatic · hammy · corny · cheesy · forced · stilted · wooden · overacted · dad dancing · talent show
typo
Printing mistake
- autocorrect failUnwanted word replacement
- drunk textIntoxicated digital correspondence
- oversharingRevealing too much personally
thirst trap · unsolicited · screenshot · receipts · ratio · main character · cancelled · callout · copypasta
- disgustdisgust, disgusting, disgusted, revulsion, repulsion
cringe-worthyadmirable
Deserving high regard
impressive · praiseworthy · awe-inspiring · commendable · laudable