cringed
Recoiled in embarrassment
Cringed is the past tense of cringe—to shrink back or flinch, typically from fear, disgust, or embarrassment.
Someone cringes physically when recoiling from a blow or unpleasant sensation: She cringed as the needle went in.
More often now, cringing is an internal reaction to something awkward or embarrassing: I cringed at my old photos.
The word has gained currency describing secondhand embarrassment at others' behavior.
Intense physical disgust
- repulsionDisgust or pushing-away force
- distasteMild aversion or dislike
- loathingIntense, settled disgust
- nauseaPre-vomiting stomach discomfort
recoil · shudder · grimace · squeamish · queasy · off-putting · gross · visceral
Backward force from discharge
- shrinkDecrease in size
- cowerShrink back in dread
- flinchInvoluntary retreat from threat
- quailFlinch from fear
tremble · shudder · withdraw · retreat · duck · tense · brace · startle
Intense shame or embarrassment
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- blushFacial reddening from emotion
- self-consciousUncomfortably aware of oneself
sheepish · red-faced · chagrin · flustered · secondhand embarrassment · awkward · uncomfortable · abashed
Involuntary retreat from threat
- winceReflexive recoil from distress
- tenseStrained or nervous
- jerkAbrupt pulling motion
- spasmInvoluntary muscle contraction
twitch · recoil · shrink back · grimace · brace · clench · stiffen · reflexive
Shrink back in dread
- grovelHumble oneself servilely
- fawnYoung deer, or flatter
- kowtowExcessive deference shown physically
- servileExcessively submissive, lacking independence
deferential · meek · subservient · obsequious · sycophantic · bootlicking · toadying · flinch
revulsion
Intense physical disgust
- repulsionDisgust or pushing-away force
- distasteMild aversion or dislike
- loathingIntense, settled disgust
nausea · recoil · shudder · grimace · squeamish · queasy · off-putting · gross · visceral · stomach-turning
recoil
Backward force from discharge
quail · tremble · shudder · withdraw · retreat · duck · tense · brace · startle · freeze
mortification
Intense shame or embarrassment
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- blushFacial reddening from emotion
self-conscious · sheepish · red-faced · chagrin · flustered · secondhand embarrassment · awkward · uncomfortable · abashed · discomfiture
flinch
Involuntary retreat from threat
spasm · twitch · recoil · shrink back · grimace · brace · clench · stiffen · reflexive · involuntary
cower
Shrink back in dread
servile · deferential · meek · subservient · obsequious · sycophantic · bootlicking · toadying · flinch · shrink
- fawnedgroveled, kowtowed, toadied, flattered, curried favor
- grovelingfawned, kowtowed, prostrated, bootlicked, toadied
cringedstood tall
Maintained dignity or resolve
expanded · leaned in · advanced · stretched out · unfurled
- cringe comedyComedy exploiting secondhand embarrassment
- cringe humorComedy exploiting awkward situations
- cringe contentUncomfortable material to witness
- cringe comediesEntertainment built on awkwardness