made me cringe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made me cringe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express discomfort or embarrassment caused by something someone said or did. Example: "The way he tried to flirt with her made me cringe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

It made me cringe".

The New Yorker

That made me cringe.

The New York Times

But it just made me cringe.

Independent

("That made me cringe," he'd told me).

The New Yorker

As a Zambian, the whole article just made me cringe.

The Guardian

Hearing the "n-word" repeated over and over made me cringe.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Makes me cringe".

Independent

Normally such participation makes me cringe.

The New York Times

Sometimes it even makes me cringe.

The New York Times

Oh, my, your photograph makes me cringe!

The Washington Post

"That word makes me cringe," he said, cringing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical sensation, consider stronger alternatives like "made my skin crawl" or "caused me to recoil" for greater impact.

Common error

While "made me cringe" is widely understood, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity. Opt for synonyms like "made me uncomfortable" or "filled me with discomfort" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made me cringe" functions as an idiomatic expression used to convey a feeling of strong discomfort, embarrassment, or disgust in response to something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "made me cringe" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a feeling of discomfort, embarrassment, or aversion. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the expression serves to convey a subjective negative emotional reaction. Although generally neutral in register, it's best suited for informal or general contexts rather than formal or scientific writing. When writing, be mindful of overusing the phrase; vary your language with alternatives to keep your writing fresh and engaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made me uncomfortable

A more general way of expressing a feeling of unease or awkwardness.

made me feel uneasy

Highlights the lack of comfort and sense of apprehension.

filled me with discomfort

Focuses on the feeling of unease or awkwardness the situation created.

caused me to recoil

Implies a stronger physical or emotional reaction of drawing back in disgust or fear.

it was distasteful to me

Expresses a feeling of dislike and aversion due to something being unpleasant.

gave me the creeps

Suggests a feeling of unease and slight fear or disgust.

repulsed me

Indicates a strong feeling of disgust and aversion.

it made my skin crawl

Suggests a physical reaction of disgust or unease.

left me feeling queasy

Emphasizes a physical sensation of nausea or unease.

it was appalling to me

Highlights the shocking or horrifying nature of something.

FAQs

What does "made me cringe" mean?

The phrase "made me cringe" expresses a feeling of discomfort, embarrassment, or strong aversion caused by something someone said, did, or something you witnessed.

What can I say instead of "made me cringe"?

You can use alternatives like "made me uncomfortable", "filled me with discomfort", or "gave me the creeps" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "made me cringe" formal or informal?

"Made me cringe" is generally considered informal. It's suitable for casual conversation and writing but may not be appropriate for formal or professional contexts.

How to use "made me cringe" in a sentence?

You can use "made me cringe" to describe your reaction to something. For example, "The way he tried to flirt with her "made me cringe"" or "His awkward speech "made me cringe"."