wince

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/wɪns/
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A quick involuntary flinch or grimace, especially from pain, disgust, embarrassment, or distress.
Practice using wince in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • She winced when the needle pierced her skin.
  • The memory brought a quick wince.
  • He gave a wince when the doctor touched his shoulder.
  • I couldn't help but wince at the sight of the broken vase.
  • His wince told me the cut still hurt.

Similar words

recoil
cringe
blench
flinch
cringe
twitch
flinch
recoil
grimace
shrink

Meanings

Flinch from pain or discomfort

verb
everyday
neutral
To make a brief involuntary movement or facial expression because of pain, disgust, embarrassment, or distress.

Examples

  • She winced when the needle pierced her skin.
  • He winced at the sharp comment.
  • The audience winced as the actor described the accident.
  • I couldn't help but wince at the sight of the broken vase.
  • When the joke fell flat, everyone winced.
  • He tried not to wince during the injection.

Similar words

flinch
recoil
cringe
shrink
blench
shudder

Brief grimace or flinch

noun
everyday
neutral
A small involuntary grimace or flinch that shows pain, disgust, embarrassment, or distress.

Examples

  • A small wince crossed her face.
  • He gave a wince when the doctor touched his shoulder.
  • The bad note drew a wince from the music teacher.
  • She hid her wince behind a polite smile.
  • His wince told me the cut still hurt.
  • The memory brought a quick wince.

Similar words

flinch
grimace
cringe
recoil
twitch

Etymology

From Anglo-French wenchir and Old French wencier, ultimately of Germanic origin.

FAQ

What does wince mean?

Wince means to flinch or make a brief grimace because of pain, disgust, embarrassment, or distress.

Can wince be a noun?

Yes. A wince is the brief grimace or flinch itself.

What preposition follows wince?

Wince is often followed by at, as in wince at the comment or wince at the pain.

What is the difference between wince and flinch?

Wince often shows pain or emotional discomfort, while flinch can be any quick movement away from a sudden threat.

Is wince deliberate?

No. Wince usually describes an involuntary reaction.

What is the past tense of wince?

The past tense is winced.

Where does wince come from?

Wince comes from Anglo-French wenchir and Old French wencier.

Can wince describe embarrassment?

Yes. People can wince at an awkward comment, a bad joke, or an embarrassing memory.

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