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recoil, shrink, flinch, wince, blench, quail mean to draw back in fear or distaste.
recoil implies a start or movement away through shock, fear, or disgust.
shrink suggests an instinctive recoil through sensitiveness, scrupulousness, or cowardice.
flinch implies a failure to endure pain or face something dangerous or frightening with resolution.
wince suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction (such as a start or recoiling).
blench implies fainthearted flinching.
quail suggests shrinking and cowering in fear.
Examples of wince in a Sentence
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near wince
Cite this Entry
“Wince.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wince. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
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