cringe

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "cringe" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that causes feelings of embarrassment or discomfort, often in a social context. An example: "I felt a wave of cringe when I saw his awkward dance moves." Alternative expressions include "awkward," "embarrassing," and "uncomfortable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

The lyrics to Picasso Baby suggest someone desperate for the art world's approval as he namechecks artists including Jeff Koons and the painter George Condo, rapping out a cultural cringe, a plea for intellectual recognition.

The Guardian - Arts

The evidence is there to see on their third album, Holy Fire, on which the band head off towards a more organic, nature-infused sound (there are bee and swamplife samples) while Yannis sings lyrics so personal ("Cause I'm a bad habit/One you cannot shake/And I hope that I change") that they apparently made him "cringe to listen back to".

The Guardian - Music

Think of a singles holiday and you'll probably picture young kids getting off their faces and doing things they'll later cringe at, or lonely middle-aged divorcees looking desperately for a new mate.

The Guardian - Travel

And while I am sure these words made her press secretary cringe, they made me take note of the way the notion of "choice" has recently crept into Republican talking points.

The Guardian - Opinion

One of the phrases that makes me cringe is when I read in the media that a particular extreme weather event "is no evidence for climate change".

The Guardian

He lasted but a single over and yet unleashed more cringe than Shane Warne's entire Twitter feed.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Anyoldways, so Natalie, doing her usual little-girl-lost-ooh-have-you-noticed-my-fluttering-nay-even-childlike-Bambi-eyes schtick, first turns up wearing quite a sober grey jacket and, for once, looks more than 12, which makes the upcoming all-too-graphic striptease relatively less cringe-tastic to watch.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Where was the cringe-making tat, the gurning mediocrity?

The Guardian - Sport

It was more cringe-worthy in person, but if you stay with it you will get the flavour:MR.

The Economist

CROSSING the Oresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden is not merely a matter of a cringe-inducing toll (360 Danish kroner, about $66).

The Economist

Attempts to make him appear less stuffy by getting him to prance around the seafront with young female MPs and make (inaccurate) references to the Arctic Monkeys were uniformly cringe-making.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cringe" to describe a strong feeling of embarrassment or discomfort in response to someone else's or your own actions. It effectively conveys a sense of awkwardness or social unease.

Common error

Avoid using "cringe" in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more sophisticated terms like "recoil", "feel discomfort", or "find objectionable" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "cringe" primarily functions as an intransitive verb, describing an involuntary reaction to something unpleasant or embarrassing. It can also function as a noun, referring to the act of cringing or the feeling it evokes. Ludwig AI confirms this with examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Cringe" is a versatile word used to express a strong feeling of embarrassment, discomfort, or disgust. Functioning primarily as a verb, it describes an involuntary reaction to something unpleasant. Ludwig AI analysis reveals its frequent use in News & Media, with neutral to informal register. While grammatically correct, its usage should be moderated in more formal contexts, where words like "recoil" or "discomfort" may be more appropriate. The provided examples offer varied insights into its usage, confirming its role as a valuable term for expressing social unease.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel embarrassed

This directly states the emotion of embarrassment experienced in response to something.

feel awkward

This highlights the feeling of unease and discomfort in a social situation.

wince at

This suggests a brief, involuntary expression of pain or distaste.

recoil in disgust

This alternative emphasizes the physical reaction of pulling back due to strong dislike or revulsion.

flinch

This term suggests a sudden, involuntary movement in response to something unpleasant.

feel a surge of embarrassment

This highlights the sudden onset and intensity of the embarrassing feeling.

squirm with discomfort

This emphasizes the physical manifestation of discomfort, often due to embarrassment or unease.

feel mortified

This indicates a strong sense of shame and humiliation.

shrink back in horror

This emphasizes a strong reaction of fear and aversion, causing a physical withdrawal.

cower

This suggests shrinking and submitting due to fear or intimidation.

FAQs

How can I use "cringe" in a sentence?

You can use "cringe" to describe a physical reaction to something embarrassing or to express a feeling of intense discomfort. For example, "I cringed at the thought of having to sing in public."

What can I say instead of "cringe"?

You can use alternatives like "wince at", "flinch", or "feel embarrassed" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "cringe-worthy"?

Yes, "cringe-worthy" is a commonly used adjective that describes something that makes you "cringe". For example, "His speech was so bad it was cringe-worthy."

What's the difference between "cringe" and "recoil"?

"Cringe" often implies a feeling of embarrassment or discomfort, while "recoil" suggests a physical or emotional withdrawal from something unpleasant or frightening. You might "cringe" at a bad joke, but "recoil" from a dangerous animal.