cringe Synonyms
Another word for cringe
• verb (Context 1)
To experience an inward shiver of acute embarrassment, awkwardness, or distaste.
"I still wince whenever I remember forgetting my lines during the school play."
• noun (Context 2)
An acute feeling of secondhand embarrassment or awkwardness, or behavior and media that provoke such a feeling (informal).
"His attempt to use teenage slang in the boardroom was pure embarrassment."
• adjective (Context 3)
Causing feelings of acute embarrassment, awkwardness, or secondhand discomfort (informal).
"Looking back at my old social media posts from high school is honestly so cringeworthy."
• noun (Context 4)
An act of shrinking back, wincing, or recoiling in fear, pain, embarrassment, or servility.
"The loud screech of the microphone elicited a visible wince from everyone in the auditorium."
• verb (Context 5)
To bend one's head and body in fear, apprehension, or in a servile, cowering manner.
"The stray dog cringed in the corner of the shelter until the volunteer offered it food."
Opposites of cringe
The opposite of cringe shifts depending on context. Common opposites include: