twinge

1 of 2

noun

1
: a sudden sharp stab of pain
2
: a moral or emotional pang
a twinge of conscience
a twinge of sympathy

twinge

2 of 2

verb

twinged; twinging ˈtwin-jiŋ How to pronounce twinge (audio) or twingeing

transitive verb

1
dialect : pluck, tweak
2
: to affect with a sharp pain or pang

intransitive verb

: to feel a sudden sharp local pain

Examples of twinge in a Sentence

Noun He felt a twinge of arthritis when he stood up. I still feel an occasional twinge in my leg from the accident. I felt a twinge of guilt.
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.
Noun
But now the Republicans may be feeling a twinge of Vance-itis, because swing voters may not be as thrilled with mini-Trump as Trump is. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2024 Around the start of a new year, a sudden twinge of urgency boils in the pit of our stomachs for something new and fresh. Samantha Sasso, refinery29.com, 25 Jan. 2024
Verb
When Bradish gave up his first hit of the night, the air occupied by the Orioles faithful twinged. Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 15 June 2024 His speech soon turned into a lament twinged with guilt. Valerie Trapp, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for twinge 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English twengen, from Old English twengan; akin to Old High German zwengen to pinch

First Known Use

Noun

1608, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of twinge was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near twinge

Cite this Entry

“Twinge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/twinge. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

twinge

1 of 2 verb
twinged; twinging ˈtwin-jiŋ How to pronounce twinge (audio) or twingeing
: to affect with or feel a sudden sharp pain

twinge

2 of 2 noun
1
: a sudden sharp stab of pain
2
: moral or emotional distress
a twinge of regret

Medical Definition

twinge

noun
: a sudden sharp stab of pain

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