Cringe [ krinj ]
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:
