Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

cringe

[krinj] / krɪndʒ /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Social media users were also split, with one viewer writing that Meghan was "warm, gracious and a delight to watch" while another called Prince Harry's cameo appearance "cringe".

From BBC Jul. 26, 2026

Still, it’s a shame that for the first time in two and a half decades of cringe comedy, the guffaws feel forced.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 26, 2026

Anytime I see a word like “bulletproof” — or any of its siblings like “sure thing” or “safe bet” — I cringe.

From MarketWatch Jun. 3, 2026

Is my attempt at a “Wicked” reference cringe?

From The Wall Street Journal May 14, 2026

The chorus of hospital noises made me cringe.

From "Because of Mr. Terupt" by Rob Buyea

"That was me in high school," she cringes.

From BBC Apr. 28, 2026

He drives a Ford pickup truck and cringes at needing a security detail, according to a person who knows him well.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 16, 2026

The Orange County-based singer-songwriter visibly cringes a little, remembering how the piano-rock/emo-adjacent concept album chronicled a painful breakup with the woman who would eventually become his wife.

From Los Angeles Times Oct. 7, 2025

I'm a loving person who cringes at everything associated with February 14, a fan of democracy who wants to hide every time July 4 rolls around and a very grateful individual who actively dislikes Thanksgiving.

From Salon Nov. 22, 2023

No one really cringes if I bump into them anymore, and people borrow my pencils without acting like the pencil has cooties.

From "Wonder" by R. J. Palacio

Like almost every parent, I cringed whenever my child or another player headed the ball.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 19, 2026

“Daddy’s home,” someone said, and a nation cringed.

From Slate Nov. 16, 2023

The lead lawyer for Google "visibly cringed" when the specific share of ad revenue sent to Apple was revealed, according to Bloomberg.

From BBC Nov. 14, 2023

At first I cringed in anger that the comment had been made, but then I cringed in shame, knowing that in some ways the comment described me.

From Salon May 16, 2001

I cringed, pressing back against the seat as hard as I could, trying to avoid her touch.

From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken

Anyone beyond the land of candlepin bowling and cringing at red clam chowder thought they had a better shot at finishing at the bottom of the standings than reaching the Super Bowl.

From The Wall Street Journal Jan. 26, 2026

Reading through these items, I confess, I had a difficult time not cringing.

From Slate Dec. 1, 2023

“If I’m not embarrassed by what I did yesterday, if I’m not cringing about what I did yesterday, I did not grow,” Ms. Bichri said.

From New York Times Jun. 3, 2023

But, while feeling less alone with your Face Hate might take the edge off, you still may be cringing at your reflection.

From Los Angeles Times May 22, 2023

I’ve never actually been on one, but Simon says it’s just a flock of mortified kids cringing while their parents ask questions.

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli




Vocabulary lists containing cringe


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training