cringing

/ˈkrɪndʒɪŋ/
adjective
  1. Causing a feeling of embarrassment or awkwardness; cringeworthy.
    • The video was so cringing that I had to look away.
    • That was a cringing moment when he forgot his lines on stage.
    • Her cringing attempt at flirting made everyone uncomfortable.
  2. Bending or moving away in fear, embarrassment, or pain.
    • He gave a cringing smile as the teacher scolded him.
    • She was cringing in the corner, afraid of the loud noise.
    • The cringing puppy hid under the table during the storm.
noun
  1. The act of bending or moving away in fear, embarrassment, or pain.
    • The constant cringing of the child showed how scared he was.
    • The dog's cringing told us it expected to be hit.
    • Her cringing at the sight of blood was hard to miss.
What does "cringing" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean