Cringing

Cringing describes an action or feeling of recoiling in embarrassment, disgust, or discomfort. It can manifest physically as a shrinking or drawing back of the body, or emotionally as an intense feeling of secondhand embarrassment or awkwardness on behalf of oneself or someone else. The sensation often stems from witnessing something perceived as highly embarrassing, foolish, or inappropriate, or from recalling a personal experience filled with similar qualities. It conveys a strong desire to avoid the source of the discomfort and a simultaneous sense of helpless observation.

Cringing meaning with examples

• Watching the politician stumble over his words during the live interview, I couldn't help but cringe; the sheer awkwardness was physically painful to witness, like a train wreck in slow motion.
• Her prom photo, with its outdated hairstyle and awkward pose, made her cringe every time she accidentally stumbled upon it in the family photo album, causing a flush of embarrassment.
• He cringed at the memory of his ill-fated attempt to impress his crush with a poorly executed magic trick, forever etched in his mind as a moment of ultimate humiliation.
• The comedian's jokes, relying heavily on outdated stereotypes and offensive language, elicited cringes from much of the audience who visibly recoiled.