flinch 1 of 2

verb

ˈflinch How to pronounce flinch (audio)
Definition of flinchnext
as in to wince
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust there are some patients who flinch at the mere sight of a needle

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flinch

2 of 2

noun

1
as in wince

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in recoil

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word flinch distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of flinch are blench, quail, recoil, shrink, and wince. While all these words mean "to draw back in fear or distaste," flinch implies a failure to endure pain or face something dangerous or frightening with resolution.

faced her accusers without flinching

When can blench be used instead of flinch?

While in some cases nearly identical to flinch, blench implies fainthearted flinching.

stood their ground without blenching

When would quail be a good substitute for flinch?

The words quail and flinch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, quail suggests shrinking and cowering in fear.

quailed before the apparition

In what contexts can recoil take the place of flinch?

In some situations, the words recoil and flinch are roughly equivalent. However, recoil implies a start or movement away through shock, fear, or disgust.

recoiled at the suggestion of stealing

When might shrink be a better fit than flinch?

While the synonyms shrink and flinch are close in meaning, shrink suggests an instinctive recoil through sensitiveness, scrupulousness, or cowardice.

shrank from the unpleasant truth

When is wince a more appropriate choice than flinch?

Although the words wince and flinch have much in common, wince suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction (such as a start or recoiling).

winced in pain

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 flinch
Verb
But the Clippers didn’t flinch, shaking off an early 12-point deficit to beat the Cavs, 132-119, in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. — Janis Carr, Orange County Register, 19 Mar. 2025 But at that moment, looking up from the examination table at Tina, her dark hair framing her unsmiling face, Lilian neither hesitated nor flinched. — Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025 And the white target with the red bullseye that had been on his chest, standing out against his black prison jumpsuit, disappeared instantly as Sigmon's whole body flinched. — Jeffrey Collins, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2025 The two recreated the moment for the 2025 Oscars, rather boldly, right in front of Brody’s girlfriend, Georgina Chapman, who didn’t even flinch. — Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flinch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flinch
  1. wince
  2. grimace
  3. recoil
  4. cringe
  5. frown
  6. revulsion
  7. scowl
  8. growl
Verb
  • Just look at what could’ve been the game-winning 3-pointer: The entire nation, minus Gator fans, winced at that.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • City officials winced at the thought of heavy military equipment rolling on streets.
    — Cuneyt Dil, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of wince
Noun
  • Those could also prove useful, but will face the challenge of distinguishing facial expressions unique to pain rather than similar grimaces related to being hungry.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 3 May 2017
  • In the movie, the monkey is a two-foot-tall sculpted plastic model whose arms bang up and down on a drum, as his mouth opens up to bare its teeth in a violent grimace.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025
Definition of grimace
Noun
  • Specifically, the recoil resulting from the merger of the two black holes 10 million years ago may explain aspects of Sgr A*'s motion seen in the present day.
    — Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
  • The recoil is enough to knock a drone off course and may cause the operator to lose sight of the target.
    — David Hambling, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of recoil
Verb
  • Danny and Xander have a messy romantic history that would make any HR department cringe.
    — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Seniors from some of the nation’s most expensive high schools travel each year to a luxury resort in the Bahamas — trips that make school administrators cringe.
    — Dionne Searcey, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of cringe
Noun
  • Shuffling feet, frowns or darting eyes signal discomfort and anxiety.
    — Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Below are some of the stocks JPMorgan frowns on: Vaccine maker Novavax is rated underweight by JPMorgan analysts.
    — Pia Singh, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2025
Definition of frown
Noun
  • When Joe Biden nominated Xavier Becerra to serve as the secretary of health and human services, Republicans responded with revulsion because of his far-left record, but also with some degree of confusion.
    — John Gerardi, National Review, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Over the last few weeks, the Europeans have gone from shock to bewilderment to revulsion.
    — David Brooks, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of revulsion
Noun
  • A little over an hour later, Zalatoris walked out of the scoring building with a tight scowl.
    — Brody Miller, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Dave comes off like a human scowl, and requires little of Liu besides completely tamping down any sense of natural charisma the Shang-Chi star has.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of scowl
Noun
  • Some Trump fans love Musk but can't give up the growl of an engine.
    — Camila Domonoske, NPR, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.
    — Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of growl

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flinch
flinched
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Cite this Entry

“Flinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flinch. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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