wince

[wins] / wɪns /

VERB

draw back

Synonyms

STRONGEST

back off blanch cower cringe flinch grimace recoil

STRONG

blench dodge duck jib quail shrink shy start swerve turn

WEAK

make a face

Antonyms

STRONGEST

face meet

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.

Almost instantly, you might wince, make a face, or even pull your own hand away.

From Science Daily • Dec. 23, 2025

So while people may wince at the price, they’re buying it anyway–and reserving the right to rant.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 3, 2025

At times at Stadium Australia the hits were so severe that they made you wince.

From BBC • Aug. 2, 2025

What was in the footage that made them wince?

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 16, 2024

I wince at Kareem’s presumption, but essentially he’s right.

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed