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cringe Definition

cringe (krinj)

intransitive verb cringed, cringing cring′·ing

  1. to draw back, bend, crouch, etc., as when afraid; shrink from something dangerous or painful
  2. to act in a timid, servile manner; fawn

Etymology: ME crengen (with nasalized vowel as in hinge), caus. < OE cringan, to fall (in battle): for IE base see cradle

noun

the act of cringing

Related Forms:

cringe Synonyms

cringe

v.

cringe Usage Examples

Object

  • bit: Be warned this will make you cringe just a bit!
  • time: I cringe every time I hear the name Arthur Daniels Midland.

Converse of object

  • make: Reading or listening to the rhetoric of the ' 60s Panthers can make a visitor cringe.

Preposition: at

  • thought: Any business will cringe at the thought of what the banks put them.. .
  • idea: For Fun... While you may cringe at the idea of Roller Discos they make for a surprisingly fun first date.

Adjective modifier

  • cultural: Critics have blamed its omission on a " cultural cringe " about Scots.
  • most: Ah yes ' Eating It Up ' quite simply the most cringe making program ever.
  • Scottish: Associated with this is self-contempt, the well-known Scottish cringe.

Modifies a noun

  • factor: Traditional does not need to mean the old-fashioned cringe factor.

Modifying Another Word

  • still: Another lot will listen but still cringe from political risks.
  • just: I mean horrendous stuff which makes me cringe just thinking about.
  • now: I cringe even now, remembering my response, " I know that.
  • back: Just as the two soldiers are about to follow, the sudden sounds of machine-gun fire and bursting shrapnel cause them to cringe back.
  • n't: Do n't cringe, I can assure you that you're going to be more than pleased with the finished project.
  • slightly: Today's is: Whistle Down The Wind This is a show which made me cringe slightly with some of its lyrics.

Adjective complement

  • worthy: To cut to the chase, six contestants have been chosen over hundreds of desperate, cringe worthy, stomach turning hopefuls.

Used with why or when

  • whenever: It was a nightmare and we'd cringe whenever the recruits came onto the jetty.

Preposition: in

  • horror: OK - cringe in horror BUT: We have to ' work out our own salvation ' .

Preposition: with

  • embarrassment: Is there a particular style that makes you cringe with embarrassment?

Noun used with modifier

  • I: In fact reading back on some of my work I cringe at what I once thought was up there with Chekhov at least.
cringe Quotes

Cultural Cringe.

—Phillips, ArthurAngell

Success is feminine and like a woman; if you cringe beforeher shewill override you. Sotheway totreat her is to show her the back of your hand. Then maybe she will do the crawling.

—Faulkner,William Harrison

Browse dictionary entries near cringe

  1. crimson clover
  2. crimson
  3. crimpy
  4. crimpling
  5. crimpled
  6. crimple
  7. crimpiness
  8. crimpiest
  9. crimpier
  10. crimper
  1. cringed
  2. cringer
  3. cringing
  4. cringle
  5. crinite
  6. crinkle
  7. crinkled
  8. crinkleroot
  9. crinklier
  10. crinkliest