23
cower(verb, start, yield, hide, submit)
22
wince(noun, verb, act, start, withdraw)
21
shrink(noun, verb, act, start, withdraw)
16
flinch(noun, verb, act, start, withdraw)
13
crawl(verb, yield, submit, jolly, flatter)
12
grovel(verb, support, yield, surrender, hide)
12
fawn(noun, verb, support, agree, yield)
12
recoil(noun, verb, act, start, withdraw)
9
kowtow(verb, support, agree, yield, surrender)
9
crouch(verb, start, yield, hide, submit)
9
stoop(verb, yield, submit, bend, jolly)
8
quail(verb, start, withdraw, draw, hide)
8
blench(verb, start, withdraw, draw, hide)
8
creep(verb, yield, submit, jolly, flatter)
8
tremble(verb, withdraw, hide, retreat, fear)
8
defer(verb, yield, submit, jolly, flatter)
8
shy(verb, draw, approach, seek, recoil)
8
start(noun, verb, withdraw, draw, approach)
8
truckle(verb, support, agree, yield, hide)
7
apple-polish(verb, phrasal verb, support, yield, informal)
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APASmart Define. (2016). cringe thesaurus. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/cringe/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2016. "cringe thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/cringe/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 21, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2016, cringe thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 21 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/cringe/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "cringe thesaurus" 1 April 2016. Web. 21 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/cringe/thesaurus/synonyms>