cringe
To shrink back or squirm because something is scary or embarrassing.
cringe in a sentence
- Mia cringed as Dad started dancing in front of her whole class.
- The squeak of chalk on the board made the whole class cringe and cover their ears.
Words that mean something similar
squirm, flinch, shrink
Careful: cringe is not flinch
A flinch is a quick jerk, over in a moment. A cringe is a squirm that lingers, usually from embarrassment. Read why children mix them up.
More words about emotions & feelings
- daunting: So difficult or scary that it makes you unsure you can manage it.
- dejected: Feeling sad and without hope.
- despair: The feeling of losing all hope.
- despise: To dislike someone or something very strongly.
- despondent: Very sad and without any hope.
- detest: To dislike something so much that you cannot bear it.
- discontent: A feeling of being unhappy and not satisfied.
- disdain: A feeling that someone or something is not worth your respect.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test