CRINGE Meaning and
Definition
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Cringe is a verb and noun predominantly used in informal language to describe a specific feeling of embarrassment, discomfort, or disgust, often in response to witnessing an awkward, uncomfortable, or embarrassing situation. As a verb, it means to have an involuntary physical or emotional reaction of shrinking back, flinching, or squirming inwardly due to second-hand embarrassment or unpleasantness. This reaction typically involves a recoil or internal shudder in response to something considered awkward, cringeworthy, or socially inappropriate.
As a noun, it refers to the physical or emotional response itself, characterized by a feeling of discomfort or disgust. This can be a reaction to various situations, such as witnessing someone make a social faux pas, a poorly-executed performance, or hearing an embarrassing comment or joke. The term "cringe" is often associated with a sense of empathy and sympathy for the person involved, as the observer can identify or relate to their awkward or uncomfortable experience.
In contemporary usage, "cringe" has become popularized in internet culture, particularly in the form of "cringe-worthy" content. This refers to online videos, photos, or texts that provoke a strong cringing response due to their embarrassment, awkwardness, or lack of self-awareness. Many people may share and discuss such content as a form of entertainment or to emphasize shared empathetic reactions.
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• To fawn upon with servility; to flatter meanly.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for CRINGE *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for CRINGE
Etymology of CRINGE
The word "cringe" originated from the Old English verb "cringan" or "crynge", which meant "to yield, to fall in battle, to submit or bend". Its roots can be traced back to the Old Norse word "kryngja", meaning "to bend or yield". Over time, the word evolved and took on the additional meaning of feeling embarrassment, discomfort, or disgust. Today, "cringe" is mainly used to describe a reaction to something awkward, embarrassing, or cringeworthy.
Idioms with the word CRINGE
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cringe before (someone or something)
The idiom "cringe before (someone or something)" means to feel embarrassed, ashamed, or intimidated in the presence of someone or something, often due to a perceived superiority or dominance. It implies a strong negative reaction, characterized by discomfort or feelings of inadequacy.
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cringe away from (someone or something)
The idiom "cringe away from (someone or something)" typically refers to a strong negative reaction or instinctive recoil one experiences when encountering someone or something that triggers discomfort, embarrassment, or revulsion. It implies a physical or emotional withdrawal in response to an unpleasant or unsettling situation or individual.
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cringe before sm or sth
The idiom "cringe before someone or something" refers to feeling a strong sense of embarrassment, discomfort, or unease in the presence of a particular person or thing. It implies a reaction of shrinking back or recoiling due to an unpleasant or awkward situation caused by that person or thing.
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cringe away from sm or sth
The idiom "cringe away from someone or something" means to recoil, flinch, or shrink back from a person or thing due to discomfort, embarrassment, or aversion. It describes a physical or emotional reaction to a situation or individual that is unpleasant or cringeworthy.
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cringe away from
The idiom "cringe away from" means to recoil or shrink in fear, disgust, or embarrassment when faced with something unpleasant, offensive, or uncomfortable. It implies a strong aversion or reluctance to confront or engage with a particular situation, person, topic, or action.
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cringe before
Similar spelling words for CRINGE
- croneyism,
- fringe,
- caring,
- crowing,
- cranky,
- Crance,
- crunched,
- crank,
- cranch,
- grin,
- crane,
- crinkled,
- Crunk,
- cronus,
- crinkle,
- cringle,
- cronk,
- Coring,
- ring,
- curing,
- crying,
- cuing,
- cringing,
- wring,
- crunch.
Conjugate verb Cringe
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have cringed
you
would have cringed
he/she/it
would have cringed
we
would have cringed
they
would have cringed
I
would have cringe
you
would have cringe
he/she/it
would have cringe
we
would have cringe
they
would have cringe
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been cringing
you
would have been cringing
he/she/it
would have been cringing
we
would have been cringing
they
would have been cringing
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would cringe
you
would cringe
he/she/it
would cringe
we
would cringe
they
would cringe
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be cringing
you
would be cringing
he/she/it
would be cringing
we
would be cringing
they
would be cringing
FUTURE
I
will cringe
you
will cringe
he/she/it
will cringe
we
will cringe
they
will cringe
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be cringing
you
will be cringing
he/she/it
will be cringing
we
will be cringing
they
will be cringing
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have cringed
you
will have cringed
he/she/it
will have cringed
we
will have cringed
they
will have cringed
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been cringing
you
will have been cringing
he/she/it
will have been cringing
we
will have been cringing
they
will have been cringing
IMPERATIVE
you
cringe
we
let´s cringe
to cringe
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was cringing
you
were cringing
he/she/it
was cringing
we
were cringing
they
were cringing
PAST PARTICIPLE
cringed
PAST PERFECT
I
had cringed
you
had cringed
he/she/it
had cringed
we
had cringed
they
had cringed
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been cringing
you
had been cringing
he/she/it
had been cringing
we
had been cringing
they
had been cringing
PRESENT
I
cringe
you
cringe
he/she/it
cringes
we
cringe
they
cringe
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am cringing
you
are cringing
he/she/it
is cringing
we
are cringing
they
are cringing
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
cringing
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have cringed
you
have cringed
he/she/it
has cringed
we
have cringed
they
have cringed
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been cringing
you
have been cringing
he/she/it
has been cringing
we
have been cringing
they
have been cringing
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
cringe
SIMPLE PAST
I
cringed
you
cringed
he/she/it
cringed
we
cringed
they
cringed
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