CRINGE Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'cringe' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of cringe are cower , fawn , toady , and truckle . While all these words mean "to behave abjectly before a superior," cringe suggests a bowing or shrinking in fear or servility. // a cringing sycophant

Q: When is 'cower' a more appropriate choice than 'cringe'?

The meanings of cower and cringe largely overlap; however, cower suggests a display of abject fear in the company of threatening or domineering people. // cowering before a bully

Q: When could 'fawn' be used to replace 'cringe'?

Although the words fawn and cringe have much in common, fawn implies seeking favor by servile flattery or exaggerated attention. // waiters fawning over a celebrity

Q: When might 'toady' be a better fit than 'cringe'?

In some situations, the words toady and cringe are roughly equivalent. However, toady suggests the attempt to ingratiate oneself by an abjectly menial or subservient attitude. // toadying to his boss

Q: Where would 'truckle' be a reasonable alternative to 'cringe'?

The words truckle and cringe can be used in similar contexts, but truckle implies the subordination of oneself and one's desires or judgment to those of a superior. // truckling to a powerful lobbyist

cringe

verb

ˈkrinj

Definition of cringe next

as in to wince

to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust gruesome crime scene photos that made several jurors cringe

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to flinch

to draw back or crouch down in fearful submission the puppy cringed when his master raised the rolled-up newspaper

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cringe distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of cringe are cower, fawn, toady, and truckle. While all these words mean "to behave abjectly before a superior," cringe suggests a bowing or shrinking in fear or servility.

a cringing sycophant

When is cower a more appropriate choice than cringe?

The meanings of cower and cringe largely overlap; however, cower suggests a display of abject fear in the company of threatening or domineering people.

cowering before a bully

When could fawn be used to replace cringe?

Although the words fawn and cringe have much in common, fawn implies seeking favor by servile flattery or exaggerated attention.

waiters fawning over a celebrity

When might toady be a better fit than cringe?

In some situations, the words toady and cringe are roughly equivalent. However, toady suggests the attempt to ingratiate oneself by an abjectly menial or subservient attitude.

toadying to his boss

Where would truckle be a reasonable alternative to cringe?

The words truckle and cringe can be used in similar contexts, but truckle implies the subordination of oneself and one's desires or judgment to those of a superior.

truckling to a powerful lobbyist

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of cringe Auditions Are 5 Minutes In a lengthier section that is a loving tribute to SNL’s many casts and performers, viewers see the first glimpses of the comics who have made the show soar — and many of the cast members are forced to watch along, frequently cringing with hands over their eyes. —

Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Jan. 2025 The rat is heard sneaking to an official to squawk, and then cringing for protection from his irate big yard companions. —

Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 15 Jan. 2025 Kylie Kelce is cringing over her time spent on a dating app. —

Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025 Read: Everyone should be reading Palestinian poetry The novel, which opens in 2012, has all the beats (and some of the cliché and cringe) of a romantic comedy—one that unfolds partly in the West Bank. —

Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for cringe

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cringe

Verb

Then, midway through the second set, the defending Australian Open champion winced when running down a ball from the Danish No. 13 seed on his backhand side.

— Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
Mindful of the land mines around establishing novel hunting seasons, and wincing over rejection of crane hunting on at least two previous occasions, promoters of the sandhill hunt were intentional about building stakeholder support for a season.

— Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 17 Jan. 2025