cringeworthy

adjective

cringe·​wor·​thy ˈkrinj-ˌwər-t͟hē How to pronounce cringeworthy (audio)
: so embarrassing, awkward, or upsetting as to cause one to cringe
a cringeworthy performance

Examples of cringeworthy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
That means Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts, he of the most cringeworthy quote of the offseason, can close up his open guitar case at the Addison stop. Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025 Their petitions and open letters can be cringeworthy. Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025 Watching young people do this, e.g., on reality TV, is cringeworthy. Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2025 At once cringeworthy and exceeding earnest, CHUCK AND BUCK was shot on digital with a shoe-string budget and received a much ballyhooed premiere 25 years ago at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cringeworthy

Word History

First Known Use

1977, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cringeworthy was in 1977

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cringeworthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cringeworthy. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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