cringe
UK: krɪndʒ | US: krɪndʒ
vi. to shrink, bend, or recoil in fear or servility
vi. to feel embarrassed or awkward (modern informal usage)
n. an act or instance of cringing
The word "cringe" traces back to Old English cringan, which described physical bending or yielding, often in a battle context. Over time, it evolved metaphorically to denote shrinking back in fear or submission. In modern slang, it gained a psychological dimension—referring to secondhand embarrassment or discomfort, reflecting societal shifts toward emotional expression.
The dog cringed when its owner raised his voice.
I cringe every time I remember my awkward teenage phase.
His sycophantic praise made everyone cringe.
The movie’s forced humor elicited cringes from the audience.
She gave a cringe of discomfort when asked about the incident.