Cringe  [ krinj ]

Synonyms:  cower, kneel, tremble, wince, blench, etc.

Definition of Cringe

verb (used without object) cringed, cring·ing

         1. to shrink back, bend, or crouch, especially in fear, pain, or servility; cower:

                She cringed in a corner and started praying.

               They cringed and bowed before the king.

         2. to feel very embarrassed or awkward; react with discomfort:

                Some of us cringed at the speaker’s tactless comments.

         3. to seek favor by acting in a servile way; fawn:

                He has never cringed to anyone—in fact, he can sometimes be a bully.

noun

         4. an act or instance of shrinking back, bending, or crouching:

                The gunshots elicited a cringe of terror.

         5. an instance of being very embarrassed, awkward, or uncomfortable:

                Some of his outfits are bizarre enough to induce a cringe or two.

         6. servile or fawning deference.

Examples: