Cringing Meaning in English

word · lemma: cringe

US

UK

Definition

Showing discomfort or embarrassment either physically by shrinking away, or emotionally, as when you feel secondhand embarrassment for someone else.

Usage & Nuances

Often used when someone feels embarrassed for themselves or others ('secondhand embarrassment'). 'Cringing' can be both a physical action (shrinking back) and an emotional reaction. Common with social awkwardness, bad jokes, or embarrassing moments.

• Spanish: encogiéndose - avergonzándose (de pena)
• Portuguese (BR): encolhendo-se - sentindo vergonha (de constrangimento)
• Portuguese (PT): encolhendo-se - sentindo vergonha (de constrangimento)
• Chinese (Simplified): 畏缩 - 感到尴尬
• Chinese (Traditional): 畏縮 - 感到尷尬
• Hindi: सिकुड़ना - शर्मिंदगी महसूस करना
• Arabic: يرتجف (من الخجل أو الرهبة) - يشعر بالإحراج
• Bengali: কুঁকিয়ে যাওয়া - বিব্রত হওয়া
• Russian: съеживаться - морщиться (от стыда) - испытывать неловкость
• Japanese: 身をすくめる - 恥ずかしがる
• Vietnamese: co rúm người lại - xấu hổ
• Korean: 몸을 움츠리다 - 민망해하다
• Turkish: çekinmek - utanmak
• Urdu: سمٹنا - شرمندہ ہونا
• Indonesian: meringis - merasa malu

Example Sentences

The awkward joke left everyone cringing.

basic

I'm cringing just thinking about what happened yesterday.

natural

We were all cringing at his terrible singing.

natural

You should have seen me cringing when my dad started dancing at the party.

natural

He was cringing when the teacher called his name.

basic

She felt cringing embarrassment during the speech.

basic