verb

flinch

to flinch, to wince, to recoil

He didn't even flinch when he saw the needle.

He didn't even flinch when he saw the needle.

She flinched away from his touch.

She flinched away from his touch.

((at sth.)) to make a sudden, small movement because of pain or fear He didn't flinch at the loud noise.

Synonyms: wince, recoil, shrink; Antonyms: face, confront

From Old French 'flenchir' meaning 'to bend, turn aside'.

Imagine something flying at your face; your natural reaction is to 'flinch'.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.