cringe
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.
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Once in a while, maybe even daily, I’ll see some headline from a mainstream news organization that makes me cringe.
From Salon ● Nov. 2, 2026
You often said things that made me cringe.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2026
Many would-be landlords cringe at the legal costs of buying a property and drafting a lease.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 14, 2026
The Canadian comedian, writer and producer Fielder is famous for harnessing the power of awkwardness, cringe and deadpan wit to great, if unsettling, comedic effect.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
It makes me cringe to admit this, but I want the whole prom thing.
From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli
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
Bellamy says he now often cringes looking back at the enraged footballer, banning his own team from throwing their arms up in disgust as he was so prone to do.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2025
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” served up a symphony of social disaster over the course of 12 seasons and almost 24 years on HBO, wringing cackles and cringes from the misadventures of the serially inappropriate Larry David.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 4, 2024
Everyone I know in Seattle specifically cringes when they hear that and I understand that that is a very strange characteristic!
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 8, 2024
He cringes and shrugs, which scores a smile out of me.
From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
Like almost every parent, I cringed whenever my child or another player headed the ball.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026
As we showered afterward, I cringed when my hair came away in our hands.
From Slate ● May 23, 2026
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
Sheehan and a few Meow Wolf companions cringed and laughed awkwardly, but they shouldn’t have felt surprised.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2023
The newsmen packed up their gear, relieving Molly, who had cringed at the thought of being photographed in her laden condition and having to brace up for a royal reception in Sweden.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
"Every time I see it, I'm cringing, I'm in disbelief," he said.
From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026
“If you’re cringing about writing one performance review, imagine your manager who has to write 15 of them,” says executive coach Sabina Nawaz.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 29, 2026
Reading through these items, I confess, I had a difficult time not cringing.
From Slate ● Dec. 1, 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
“They’re acting respectful and .. . Stiff,” I say, cringing as I say the word that was my nickname in Dauntless.
From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth
Vocabulary lists containing cringe
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