cringe

Exam frequency

GRE

medium

Banks

medium

Civil Services

medium

Meaning(s)

a physical reaction to something unpleasant

Check Icon How to Memorize

cringe - grimace

Check Icon Analysis

When you ‘cringe’, your body physically reacts to fear or embarrassment by grimacing or jerking away from the source of your discomfort. Such a reaction is typically involuntary but can on occasions be done simply for effect.

ExamsSpokenOther
Synonyms recoil,shudder
Antonyms shameless,gallant

Check Icon Example(s)

  1. When I look at old photos of myself I can’t help but cringe at the sort of clothes I used to wear!

  2. As soon as I raised my hand, Gary cringed away from me. I think he thought I was about to hit him!

  3. I cringe at the thought of having to give a speech in front of so many people. I’m really going to be taken out of my comfort zone.

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