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cringeto feel embarrassed or uncomfortable because of awkwardness

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to feel embarrassed or uncomfortable because of awkwardness

Pronunciation (IPA): /krɪndʒ/

Example Sentences

  • I still cringe when I remember singing karaoke in front of my crush
  • The movie was so cringe that half the audience left early
  • My mom's attempt to use teen slang makes me cringe so hard

cringe

VERB

[/krɪndʒ/]

to feel embarrassed or uncomfortable because of awkwardness

I cringe every time I hear my old voicemail greeting.
💡 Concept

I cringe every time I hear my old voicemail greeting.

She cringes at the party, hiding behind her fringe, gripping the hinge!
🎵 Rhyme

She cringes at the party, hiding behind her fringe, gripping the hinge!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/krɪndʒ/
🇬🇧 UK/krɪndʒ/

🌳Etymology

Rootcringe

Origin

From Old English 'cringan' meaning 'to bend, bow down, or yield in battle.' The word evolved from describing physical cowering to modern psychological discomfort or embarrassment.

Breakdown

cring- (bend/bow down) + -e (verb ending)

🎵Rhyme

fringehingesinge
fringe
hinge
singe

🔗Collocations

cringe at something
cringe-worthy
secondhand cringe
make someone cringe
cringe factor
cringe in embarrassment

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

I still cringe when I remember singing karaoke in front of my crush

The movie was so cringe that half the audience left early

😄 Fun example

My mom's attempt to use teen slang makes me cringe so hard

He cringed at the memory of his failed job interview

📚Related Words

Synonyms

winceflinchshrinkrecoil

Antonyms

embraceenjoyrelish

Related

embarrassawkwarduncomfortableshame

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