flinch
[verb]
Synonyms: recoil, cower, cringe, draw back, quail, shirk, shrink, shy away, wince

---

Related Words: avoid, elude, escape, eschew, evade, shun, retire, withdraw, recede, retreat

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

flinch /flɪntʃ/ (also flinch away) verb [intransitive]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: Old French; Origin: flenchir 'to turn aside']

1. to move your face or body away from someone or something because you are in pain, frightened, or upset
flinch at
She flinched at the touch of his hand.
flinch from
The boy flinched away from him.

2. to feel embarrassed or upset
flinch at
Jo flinched at her sister’s insensitivity.

3. not flinch from (doing) something to be willing to do something even though it is difficult or unpleasant:
He never flinched from doing his duty.
⇒ unflinching

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

flinch
verb
ADV. violently | almost | hardly He hardly flinched when he was hit.
slightly | visibly | inwardly She flinched inwardly as he took her hand.
away
VERB + FLINCH make sb Her finger touched the scar on his forehead, making him flinch.
PREP. at She flinched visibly at the sight of the body.
from She flinched away from him. (figurative) She won't flinch from speaking her mind.
with He flinched with the force of the blow.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲