cringed; cringing
1
: to recoil in distaste
Americans cringed … at the use of a term now regarded as a slur—
William Safire
William Safire2
: to shrink in fear or servility
The terrified animal cringed in the corner.
3
: to behave in an excessively humble or servile way
beggars cringing to tourists for money
4
: to draw in or contract one's muscles involuntarily (as from cold or pain)
… we cringe under the blasting wind …—Charles S. Houston
Charles S. Houston
cringer
noun
slang
: so embarrassing, awkward, etc. as to cause one to cringe : cringeworthy
a cringe moment
cringe comedy [=comedy involving jokes that make people uncomfortable]
It's hard to find a movie from the early 2000s that isn't a little cringe.—theringer.com
theringer.comExamples of cringe in a Sentence
Verb
Many English teachers cringe when their students use the word “ain't.”
I always cringe when I hear that song.
Just the thought of eating broccoli makes me cringe.
The dog cringed at the noise.
Recent Examples on the Web
Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025
But the aftermath of the videos left many Democrats cringing, Republican candidates pouncing, and political observers wondering how voters would respond.
—Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
The very different siblings, who are each going through their own personal life challenges, have naturally gone in separate directions over the years, and the idea of spending 10 days cooped up on a river cruise together makes each Keller child cringe for their own reasons.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 4 Aug. 2025
And actually, the more cringe thing is being embarrassed.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cringe
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
This isn’t the first time that Guthrie has publicly cringed over having to ask the question.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025
But the aftermath of the videos left many Democrats cringing, Republican candidates pouncing, and political observers wondering how voters would respond.
—Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
All that’s left is some hopeless cringe, stunt guest stars and unfunny jokes.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
The very different siblings, who are each going through their own personal life challenges, have naturally gone in separate directions over the years, and the idea of spending 10 days cooped up on a river cruise together makes each Keller child cringe for their own reasons.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
In fact, Belly’s choices as an adult are so cringe that some moms are reevaluating everything.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 4 Aug. 2025
And actually, the more cringe thing is being embarrassed.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cringe
Cite this Entry
“Cringe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cringe. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share