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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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
Despite Jane Wickline’s delightfully awkward cringe and Sarah Sherman’s delectable insanity, only one “Saturday Night Live” cast member picks up votes this round.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 20, 2026
Is my attempt at a “Wicked” reference cringe?
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 14, 2026
I’ve also seen much younger viewers cringe at the suggestion of staring at anything rendered in gray scale that has a running time longer than a “Twilight Zone” episode.
From Salon ● May 8, 2026
I cringe through another mouthful of breaded eggplant.
From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman
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
"I was in the studio and Lois texted me, 'By the way, we forgot our anniversary'," he cringes.
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2025
Cristin Milioti gets self-conscious about sounding too “actor-y” in interviews, and explains that she usually cringes when she hears a performer referring to a character in the third person.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 10, 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
Sammy rubs his forehead and cringes, as if realizing he walked right into that one.
From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz
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
Every time Roberts stepped to the plate, Aurilia cringed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 9, 2025
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
Valley and Thorn cringed, and that’s when Seven realized they weren’t alone.
From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega
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
These lies are so dumb and easy to disprove that the onetime criminal defense attorney in me is cringing.
From Slate ● Aug. 16, 2024
This show, starring Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder as a couple at the center of a home renovation reality series, has had us cringing all season, but we still can’t look away.
From New York Times ● Jan. 8, 2024
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
The Lingo of Body Language
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"Of Mice and Men"
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List 13
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