What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cringing
Example
I couldn't help cringing when I saw the video of myself singing karaoke. [cringing: present participle]
Example
He had a cringing expression on his face when he realized he had made a mistake. [cringing: adjective]
flinching
Example
She flinched when the doctor gave her the injection. [flinched: past tense]
Example
The loud noise made him flinch and cover his ears. [flinch: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Flinching is more commonly used than cringing in everyday language. Flinching is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while cringing is less common and refers to a specific type of reaction to embarrassment or shame.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cringing and flinching?
While cringing is typically associated with an informal tone, flinching can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
