verb / noun
flinch
FLINCH/flɪntʃ/
A sudden movement away from pain, fear, or an expected impact.
The man flinches as the balloon bursts beside his shoulder.
Etymology
Flinch apparently comes from Middle English flecche, meaning “to bend or flinch.” The bending image connects with the small bodily recoil made in response to fear, pain, or surprise.
In context
Though the pain of death was upon him he did not flinch.
More examples
- A small flinch gives away his fear of the needle.
- I flinched when the ball flew toward my face.
- He pulls out the splinter without flinching.
Forms
flinch · flinches · flinched · flinching