1. made a quick, involuntary movement away from something unpleasant or frightening
Usage: past tense of flinch

Examples

• She flinched when the doctor gave her the injection.
• He flinched at the loud sound of the car backfiring.
• The child flinched away from the barking dog.
• I flinched when I saw the spider crawling toward me.
• She didn’t flinch even when the ball came straight at her.
• He flinched at the harsh criticism from his boss.