flinch

¹

[flinch]

verb (used without object)

1. to draw back or shrink, as from what is dangerous, difficult, or unpleasant.

   Synonyms: blench, withdraw, recoil

2. to shrink under pain; wince.

3. Croquet.,  to let the foot slip from the ball in the act of croqueting.

verb (used with object)

1. to draw back or withdraw from.

noun

1. an act of flinching.

flinch

²

[flinch]

verb (used with object)

1. flense.

flinch

¹

/ flɪntʃ /

verb

1. to draw back suddenly, as from pain, shock, etc; wince

   he flinched as the cold water struck him

2. (often foll by from) to avoid contact (with); shy away

   he never flinched from his duty

noun

1. the act or an instance of drawing back

2. a card game in which players build sequences

flinch

²

/ flɪntʃ /

verb

1. a variant of flense

Other Word Forms

• flincher noun
• flinchingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of flinch¹

First recorded in 1555–65; perhaps nasalized variant of dial. flitch to flit, shift one's position

Word History and Origins

Origin of flinch¹

C16: from Old French flenchir ; related to Middle High German lenken to bend, direct

Example Sentences

When asked how he feels to be immortalized as a sculpted sponge cake with coconut lime mousse, he doesn’t flinch.

From Los Angeles Times

As a younger cook, I was still learning not to flinch when food darkened in the pan — to trust that the caramelized bits clinging to the bottom weren’t mistakes, but flavor waiting to happen.

From Salon

But bringing audiences together for a funny movie is just as important as getting them to collectively flinch during a jump scare, filmmakers said.

From Los Angeles Times

It was our first glimpse of torture after 9/11, and no one flinched.

From Salon

Use a regular bullpen pitcher, and spare us, your fans, from flinching.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• balk 
• blanch 
• blink 
• cower 
• cringe 
• recoil