cringes
Recoils in discomfort
Cringes is the verb form of cringe, meaning to shrink back or flinch, usually from something unpleasant or embarrassing.
Physical cringing is a reflexive withdrawal: She cringes at the sight of needles.
More often now, cringing is a response to secondhand embarrassment—watching someone do something awkward or socially painful: I cringe every time I remember that voicemail I left.
Flinches from pain
- squirmsTwists from discomfort
- shuddersConvulsive trembling movements
- flinchesInvoluntary recoil movements
- recoilsDraws back suddenly
blushes · grimaces · secondhand embarrassment · awkwardness · mortification · discomfort · shame · humiliation
Shrinks from fear
- shrinksDecreases in size
- recoilsDraws back suddenly
- flinchesInvoluntary recoil movements
- tremblesShakes involuntarily, slightly
quails · retreats · submission · whimpers · huddles · winces · braces · anticipation
Short-form video service
- viralSpreading quickly online
- secondhand embarrassmentCringing for another person
- reactionResponse to stimulus
- failBe unsuccessful
meme · influencer · social media · content · commentary · roast · judgment · cancel
winces
Flinches from pain
- squirmsTwists from discomfort
- shuddersConvulsive trembling movements
- flinchesInvoluntary recoil movements
recoils · blushes · grimaces · secondhand embarrassment · awkwardness · mortification · discomfort · shame · humiliation · face-palm
cowers
Shrinks from fear
trembles · quails · retreats · submission · whimpers · huddles · winces · braces · anticipation · threat
TikTok
Short-form video service
- viralSpreading quickly online
- secondhand embarrassmentCringing for another person
- reactionResponse to stimulus
fail · meme · influencer · social media · content · commentary · roast · judgment · cancel · ratio
recoils
Draws back suddenly
- shuddersConvulsive trembling movements
- grimacesDistorted facial expressions
- revulsionIntense physical disgust
repulsion · distaste · nauseates · squirms · aversion · winces · groans · gags · turns away · sickened
cringesstands tall
Exhibits upright pride
expands · stretches out · approaches · advances · puffs up
- cringe comedyComedy exploiting secondhand embarrassment
- cringe humorComedy exploiting awkward situations
- cringe contentUncomfortable material to witness
- cringe comediesEntertainment built on awkwardness