wince
Brief facial cringe
A wince is a quick, involuntary flinch or grimace in response to pain, embarrassment, or something unpleasant: She winced when the needle went in.
The word captures that brief contraction of facial muscles or slight recoil of the body.
You might wince at a bad pun, a cringeworthy memory, or watching someone else get hurt.
Twisted expression of displeasure
- recoilBackward force from discharge
- shudderConvulsive trembling from fear
- revulsionIntense physical disgust
- repugnanceIntense distaste or disgust
distaste · displeasure · aversion · squeamish · cringe · shrink · nauseate · queasy
Backward force from discharge
- cringeShrink from discomfort
- shrinkDecrease in size
- cowerShrink back in dread
- blenchShrink back fearfully
quail · startle · shudder · jerk · draw back · pull back · shy away · retreat
Twisted expression of displeasure
- flinchInvoluntary retreat from threat
- twingeBrief, sharp sensation
- stingSharp wound from insect
- smartMentally quick, or fashionable
throb · ache · cringe · recoil · soreness · agony · hurt · suffering
Shrink from discomfort
- squirmTwist from discomfort
- grimaceTwisted expression of displeasure
- awkwardnessLack of grace or ease
- discomfortMild physical or mental distress
secondhand · vicarious · shame · mortification · humiliation · blush · flush · uncomfortable
grimace
Twisted expression of displeasure
- recoilBackward force from discharge
- shudderConvulsive trembling from fear
- revulsionIntense physical disgust
repugnance · distaste · displeasure · aversion · squeamish · cringe · shrink · nauseate · queasy · repel
recoil
Backward force from discharge
blench · quail · startle · shudder · jerk · draw back · pull back · shy away · retreat · duck
grimace
Twisted expression of displeasure
smart · throb · ache · cringe · recoil · soreness · agony · hurt · suffering · sharp
cringe
Shrink from discomfort
- squirmTwist from discomfort
- grimaceTwisted expression of displeasure
- awkwardnessLack of grace or ease
discomfort · secondhand · vicarious · shame · mortification · humiliation · blush · flush · uncomfortable · painful
grimace
Twisted expression of displeasure
- scowlAngry facial expression
- frownDisapproving facial expression
- expressionConveyed thought or feeling
face · mouth · eyes · scrunch · contort · twist · purse · tighten · jaw · brow
- disgustdisgust, disgusting, disgusted, revulsion, repulsion
- reflexesreflex, reflexes, reflex action, reflex response, quick reflexes
- flinchingflinch, flinching, recoil, cringe, cringing
- body reactionssweating, blushing, shiver, goosebumps, twitch
- facial expressionssmiling, smile, grin, grinning, frown
- fear reactionsscream, scared, gasp, terrified, flinch
wincehold steady
Remain constant, unmoved
endure · grin and bear it · steel oneself · stand firm · take it on the chin