What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
flinch
Example
He flinched when the ball hit him in the face. [flinched: past tense]
Example
She couldn't help but flinch at the sound of thunder. [flinch: verb]
wince
Example
He winced as the dentist drilled into his tooth. [winced: past tense]
Example
She couldn't help but wince at the sight of her embarrassing childhood photo. [wince: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wince is more commonly used than flinch in everyday language. Wince is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while flinch is less common and often associated with more intense or dramatic situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between flinch and wince?
Both flinch and wince are relatively informal words, but wince is slightly more neutral and can be used in more formal contexts than flinch.
