cringey

or crin·gy

[ krin-jee ]

adjective

, Informal.

1. causing a reaction or feeling of embarrassment, awkwardness, or discomfort; cringeworthy:

   The movie brought back my cringey middle school memories.

2. seeking favor by means of servile behavior or flattery:

   His talk show is mostly cringey interviews with celebrities.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cringey¹

First recorded in 1965–70; cringe ( def ) + -y ¹( def )

Example Sentences

Drew Barrymore is oft acknowledged as being a likable, endearing celebrity who we've watched on screen since her childhood roles in various classic movies, but her talk show hosting and interviewing style has often been joked about or called into question, with some even describing it as "cringey."

From Salon

Thus begins Kaplan’s mad scramble for sanity, as the TV writer tries to plug the leaky vessel that is his life, which he chronicles in cringey detail in his book.

From Los Angeles Times

As Roberts describes in cringey detail in the book, his fall from grace came a little bit at a time, then all at once.

From Los Angeles Times

He says he thought boy bands were "cringey", Blaise laughs as he recalls feeling "too cool" for them although Dexter was always a fan.

From BBC

But it’s more than the interpersonal dynamics; the show’s occasionally over-the-top optimism and sincere belief in the United States as the greatest nation on Earth — not to mention its very white casting and casual yet consistent sexism — has, speaking anecdotally, made it feel cringey to many leftists of my generation.

From Los Angeles Times