WINCED Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

winced

verb

past tense of wince

as in flinched

to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust winced at the movie's graphic depiction of combat injuries

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of winced Back on the broadcast, Nantz immediately winced and grabbed his hand. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 My husband walked into the room and winced as one of the women changed into a perfect re-creation of an American Girl–doll outfit (very theater kid, not his thing). — Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2026 The French superstar winced after a free kick sailed over the goalpost in the 88th minute. — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026 The original originalists, the Constitution’s framers, would have winced. — George F. Will, Washington Post, 1 July 2026 After the ensuing pitch to Max Schuemann, Skubal again winced and began pacing at the back of the mound. — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 25 June 2026 James stretched his neck and winced. — Literary Hub, 18 June 2026 The Republican Congress — filled with Netanyahu fans and hawks eager to align with Israel — winced. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 8 June 2026 Vanderbilt was in a ton of pain, and even the Thunder bench winced at Vanderbilt’s hand. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for winced

Verb

Then the pianist flinched and the leader sprinted off the stage.

— Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
The teen in the green sweatshirt, Williams, momentarily flinched from the gunshot.

— Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of flinched

Verb

The upper atmosphere recoiled so violently that radio communications were disrupted.

— Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Even a few Republican loyalists have recoiled at the extravagant pageantry, seemingly designed to flatter Xi and awe a domestic audience, although the absence of TV cameras at the Rose Garden ceremony undermined that low-ambition objective.

— Andy Browne, semafor.com, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of recoiled

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winced

winces

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“Winced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winced. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of winced

verb

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