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View synonyms for flinch

flinch

1

[ flinch ]

verb (used without object)

  1. to draw back or shrink, as from what is dangerous, difficult, or unpleasant.

    Synonyms: blench, withdraw, recoil

  2. to shrink under pain; wince.
  3. Croquet. to let the foot slip from the ball in the act of croqueting.


verb (used with object)

  1. to draw back or withdraw from.

noun

  1. an act of flinching.

flinch

2

[ flinch ]

verb (used with object)

flinch

1

/ flɪntʃ /

verb

  1. a variant of flense
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

flinch

2

/ flɪntʃ /

verb

  1. to draw back suddenly, as from pain, shock, etc; wince

    he flinched as the cold water struck him

  2. often foll by from to avoid contact (with); shy away

    he never flinched from his duty

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the act or an instance of drawing back
  2. a card game in which players build sequences
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈflinchingly, adverb
  • ˈflincher, noun
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Other Words From

  • flincher noun
  • flinching·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of flinch1

First recorded in 1555–65; perhaps nasalized variant of dial. flitch to flit, shift one's position
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Word History and Origins

Origin of flinch1

C16: from Old French flenchir ; related to Middle High German lenken to bend, direct
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Example Sentences

"Commitment prince," urges the singer, when Harry flinches and seems to have that inking feeling.

From BBC

In one scene a little boy sits near an IRA soldier watching British officers quietly roll up in vehicles and doesn’t flinch as the man runs off and bullets whiz by his head.

From Salon

Even when asked to complete devastating tasks, like facilitating the executions of close friends, they don’t flinch.

"Working with kids is in my soul and I want to teach them that disabled isn't a dirty word, and when I say it I don't have to flinch," Amy adds.

From BBC

“That’s all you can ask for from a leader in that position, not flinching and staying calm and understanding the mission. And our mission is to be great.”

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