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

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
2
as in recoil

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Dissimilar Words

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
Noun
But Wintour didn’t flinch where other leaders would have easily crumbled. —Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 English didn’t flinch at the deficit with just three outs left in its season, though. —Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 14 June 2025 Given his winning streak, nobody would’ve flinched if Lamar framed his portion of the event as a celebration. —Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025 But, when Wayne and Bryant’s names were called, neither flinched under the bright lights. —Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 6 June 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
  • As the prosecutor described the fatal injuries her daughter faced, Scarbrough bowed her head and winced.
    — David Clarey, jsonline.com, 3 July 2025
  • Dakota Johnson is more charming than usual here but moves like someone whose feet have never touched the ground, who has never winced looking at a bill.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 25 June 2025
Definition of wince
Noun
  • Even though the couple filmed the skit after class to be respectful of the other participants, the sweat and grimaces weren’t just for show.
    — Ashley Vega, People.com, 9 June 2025
  • At one point, Hunt emerges onto London’s Trafalgar Square and grimaces at the sight of a massive protest.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 May 2025
Definition of grimace
Noun
  • Aiming and shooting is solid, with snappy gunplay and reasonable levels of recoil keeping firefights enthralling.
    — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 June 2025
  • So Sky Sentinel had to be built with effectively zero mechanical play, even after recoil.
    — David Hambling, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Definition of recoil
Verb
  • What is transgressive, indie and anti-woke today will one day be normie, derivative, and cringe.
    — John McDermott, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2025
  • Her post-Sisterhood career has featured roles in horror flicks (The Grudge 2), cringe comedies (The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret), medical dramas (House), and sitcoms (Two and a Half Men).
    — EW.com, EW.com, 28 June 2025
Definition of cringe
Noun
  • The muscles around his eyes darted inward, and a frown overtook his face.
    — Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
  • Beantown frowns at each breaking news sounder on talk radio or ESPN insider post on social media.
    — Bill Speros, Boston Herald, 2 July 2025
Definition of frown
Noun
  • And the teenage provocateur made no secret of that revulsion, loudly belittling his fellow students.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
  • People celebrating this holiday weekend may have different ideas about what sparked the American Revolution: a yearning for liberty; a revulsion at taxation without representation; or a desire to have a national sport where players can touch the ball with their hands.
    — Scott Simon, NPR, 5 July 2025
Definition of revulsion
Noun
  • Serve up in a stemmed glass, and garnish with a scowl, or perhaps a war story.
    — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 11 July 2025
  • Balthazar, played in a hipster fade and with a puppy-dog scowl by Jaeden Martell, is a New York rich kid with a life coach and a divorced mother (Jennifer Ehle) who’s too busy throwing political cocktail parties to pay him much attention.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 June 2025
Definition of scowl
Noun
  • The 120-pound canine's confusion resulted in a growl and a warning bite, Kashen told Newsweek via TikTok.
    — Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
  • Other artists toy with the style by throwing heavenly choral calls over the mix and trying to match the madness with equally aggro threats and growls.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 4 June 2025
Definition of growl

Browse Nearby Words

flimsy
flinch
flinched
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Cite this Entry

“Flinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flinch. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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