wince

Normally if we stare at it, we wince and quickly look away.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

Lane had to have been prepared but a subtle wince of disappointment could be detected when the camera pryingly caught his immediate reaction.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2026

It’s taking up space that could be used for food you actually want to eat — food that nourishes you, that doesn’t make you wince a little every time you see it.

From Salon ● Mar. 19, 2026

Those who wince at the idea of a blue-collar career change don’t necessarily look down on people who work with their hands.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 15, 2026

It was her neighborhood and just the sight of it made her wince.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

She winces now hearing those words read aloud.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 2, 2026

Bertrand Degat, vineyard manager for French zero-alcohol wine producer French Bloom, winces visibly when recalling some of the criticism and snobbery he has encountered from his contemporaries.

From Barron's ● Feb. 12, 2026

In one tense scene with her white colleagues, Cosey winces at their version of historical enlightenment — the reclamation project is moving at a horse-drawn carriage’s pace.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 6, 2026

“Any time we put our arms under his legs to lift him out of his chair, he’s sore. He winces, he cries. He’s quite upset, so we know it’s causing him pain,” he says.

From BBC ● Jun. 18, 2024

Len stirs and winces in pain, but the fear I see in his shuddering chin is the hardest thing to watch.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

Stepping into the arcade, he winced as he accidentally bumped into someone.

From Slate ● Jun. 25, 2026

He winced at the idea that Abby would now be handed the keys.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 17, 2026

The ensuing sound of the collision's initial impact was so loud that jurors winced after being warned to decrease the volume on their listening devices.

From Barron's ● Feb. 2, 2026

After winning a 27-shot exchange at 4-4 0-30 down, Djokovic winced and gasped for air before bending over his towel box.

From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2025

He rubbed the fresh bump at the top of his skull and winced, but he seemed otherwise unharmed.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Exhaustion was setting in, but the deodorant I’d packed needed to be replaced, so I found myself roaming the body care aisles, wincing under the fluorescent lights as my patience rapidly grew thinner.

From Salon ● May 22, 2026

Italy suffered a blow when Madsen fell awkwardly while trying to stop a boundary in the fourth over and went off the field wincing in pain with what looked like a dislocated shoulder.

From Barron's ● Feb. 9, 2026

At least he was wincing and favoring that hand as he walked off the field, but it didn’t sideline him.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 27, 2025

As Nancy spoke, it was hard to avoid wincing and wincing and wincing again.

From BBC ● Dec. 17, 2025

“Please!” added Uncle Vernon, wincing slightly as though the word was sharp in his throat.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling