4
spring(verb, withdraw, twist, retreat, shy)
4
tremble(verb, worry, withdraw, avoid, hide)
3
Funk
3
bounce(verb, shy, recoil, jump, bound)
3
bound(verb, shy, recoil, jump, shrink)
3
crawl(verb, recoil, shrink, quiver, wince)
3
dread(verb, worry, avoid, fuss, fret)
3
fawn(verb, hide, recoil, tremble, shrink)
3
fight shy(expression, idiom, cowardice)
3
hang back(verb, expression, phrasal verb, recoil, avoidance)
3
hog(verb, twist, deform, distorting, warping)
3
pull back(verb, expression, withdraw, retreat, dodge)
3
shrivel(verb, twist, deform, distorting, warping)
3
warp(verb, twist, deform, distorting, warping)
2
be startled(start, recoil)
2
contract
2
cramp(verb, twist, deform, distorting, warping)
2
creep
2
demur(verb, withdraw, refuse, resist, retreat)
2
grovel(verb, hide, recoil, tremble, shrink)
11 years ago|8.5k views|share |citing 
APASmart Define. (2015). flinch thesaurus. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/flinch/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "flinch thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/flinch/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 20, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, flinch thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/flinch/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "flinch thesaurus" 10 April 2015. Web. 20 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/flinch/thesaurus/synonyms>