cringeworthy
Hard to watch
Cringeworthy describes something so awkward, embarrassing, or socially painful that it makes you cringe—that involuntary wince when witnessing someone else's humiliation or your own past mistakes: I found some cringeworthy poems I wrote in high school.
Often shortened to cringe as an adjective: That speech was so cringe.
Causing awkward self-consciousness
- mortifyingCausing acute embarrassment
- humiliatingCausing painful embarrassment
- faux pasSocial misstep or indiscretion
- gaffeClumsy social error
blunder · misstep · clumsy · bumbling · tactless · maladroit · inept · oafish
Reflexive recoil from distress
- grimaceTwisted expression of displeasure
- flinchInvoluntary retreat from threat
- squirmTwist from discomfort
- shudderConvulsive trembling from fear
recoil · painful · uncomfortable · unbearable · excruciating · face-palm · look away · visceral
Loss of honor
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- shamefulCausing or meriting disgrace
- red-facedShowing visible embarrassment
- indiscretionUnwise act or remark
regrettable · deplorable · ignominious · undignified · degrading · demeaning · scandalous · infamous
embarrassing
Causing awkward self-consciousness
- mortifyingCausing acute embarrassment
- humiliatingCausing painful embarrassment
- faux pasSocial misstep or indiscretion
gaffe · blunder · misstep · clumsy · bumbling · tactless · maladroit · inept · oafish · ungainly
wince
Reflexive recoil from distress
- grimaceTwisted expression of displeasure
- flinchInvoluntary retreat from threat
- squirmTwist from discomfort
shudder · recoil · painful · uncomfortable · unbearable · excruciating · face-palm · look away · visceral · skin-crawling
disgrace
Loss of honor
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- shamefulCausing or meriting disgrace
- red-facedShowing visible embarrassment
indiscretion · regrettable · deplorable · ignominious · undignified · degrading · demeaning · scandalous · infamous · reproachable
- cringecringy, secondhand embarrassment, facepalm, wince, yikes
- awkward momentsoops, embarrassment, yikes, awkward, awkward silence
cringeworthycharming
Pleasantly attractive in manner
endearing · delightful · pleasant · comfortable · heartwarming
cringeworthyheartwarming
Evoking tender positive feelings
delightful · charming · endearing · pleasant · enjoyable