cringey
Hard to watch
Cringey describes something that provokes secondhand embarrassment or discomfort, usually because it's awkward, try-hard, or socially tone-deaf.
The word emerged from internet culture alongside the noun cringe, which names that visceral wince you feel watching someone humiliate themselves.
His attempts at flirting were painfully cringey.
Also spelled cringy.
Causing awkward self-consciousness
- mortifyingCausing acute embarrassment
- humiliatingCausing painful embarrassment
- shamefulCausing or meriting disgrace
- red-facedShowing visible embarrassment
flustered · self-conscious · faux pas · gaffe · blunder · goof · slip-up · bungle
Lacking grace or ease
- clumsyLacking physical coordination
- stiltedUnnaturally formal in expression
- woodenMade from timber
- contrivedDeliberately manufactured, unnatural
maladroit · gauche · ungainly · gawky · inept · bumbling · ungraceful · clunky
Twist from discomfort
- winceReflexive recoil from distress
- flinchInvoluntary retreat from threat
- grimaceTwisted expression of displeasure
- shudderConvulsive trembling from fear
recoil · shrink · squirmy · uncomfortable · unsettling · off-putting · disturbing · repellent
embarrassing
Causing awkward self-consciousness
- mortifyingCausing acute embarrassment
- humiliatingCausing painful embarrassment
- shamefulCausing or meriting disgrace
red-faced · flustered · self-conscious · faux pas · gaffe · blunder · goof · slip-up · bungle · botch
awkward
Lacking grace or ease
contrived · maladroit · gauche · ungainly · gawky · inept · bumbling · ungraceful · clunky · inelegant
squirm
Twist from discomfort
- winceReflexive recoil from distress
- flinchInvoluntary retreat from threat
- grimaceTwisted expression of displeasure
shudder · recoil · shrink · squirmy · uncomfortable · unsettling · off-putting · disturbing · repellent · skin-crawling
cringeycool
Calm or fashionable
iconic · legendary · stylish · sophisticated · tasteful
cringeyimpressive
Evoking admiration or awe
admirable · awe-inspiring · inspiring · captivating · enviable
- cringe comedyComedy exploiting secondhand embarrassment
- cringe humorComedy exploiting awkward situations
- cringe contentUncomfortable material to witness
- cringe comediesEntertainment built on awkwardness
cringe, cringing, cringed, cringes, cringeworthy, cringy, cringer, cringier, cringiest