Meaning & use
flinch
To make a sudden, involuntary movement away from something painful, frightening, or unpleasant.
See it in a sentence
He flinched when the nurse mentioned the size of the needle.
She didn't flinch once during the tense negotiation, even when threatened directly.
A note on using this word
Flinch often appears in the negative, as in 'didn't flinch,' to praise someone's courage or composure under pressure.
Words with a similar meaning
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Make it your own
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