verb
- to shrink back or move away from something in fear or disgust
- to feel embarrassed or uncomfortable about something
Usage: informal
noun
- an act of cringing; a feeling of embarrassment or discomfort
Usage: informal
Examples
- She cringed when she heard the loud crash.
- The dog cringed away from the angry voice.
- I cringe every time I think about that embarrassing moment.
- His bad jokes always make me cringe.
- The movie was so awkward it gave me secondhand cringe.
- That cringe moment when you wave back at someone who wasn’t waving at you.
- The audience cringed at the performer’s mistake.