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
When Mr. Epstein laments the “excessive autonomy I constructed for myself,” it is hard not to cringe thinking of the many people in this world whose lives truly would be better with fewer constraints.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 13, 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
It took every bit of Ekon’s restraint not to cringe at the mention of Kamau.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
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
With art at the moment, it’s so specific that sometimes it cringes me out.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2025
"I was in the studio and Lois texted me, 'By the way, we forgot our anniversary'," he cringes.
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2025
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
“Pokémon,” Kent says, and he cringes a little like I’m about to make fun of him.
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
As a nurse attending births in the 1980s, Sojobi said, she cringed when she observed patients being hustled to the operating room if they hadn’t given birth by a set time.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2023
He cringed, holding his hurt arm, and the well splashed a little.
From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack
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
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
For countries still constitutionally joined to the crown, Charles’s coronation arrived with little fanfare, and some cringing discomfort.
From New York Times ● May 5, 2023
Some were hostile, some cringing, some horrified; some, who when among themselves were most violent, now appeared as submissive as children.
From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison
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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