blench

/'bli:diɳ/

Thân thiện

She saw the spider and began to blench.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To turn pale or become white, typically from fear, shock, or dismay.
   • To flinch, recoil, or shrink back, as from something frightening or unpleasant.

Usage

The verb "blench" is used to describe a physical reaction to sudden fear, horror, or a shocking sight. It often implies an involuntary response. It is a formal or literary word.

Examples

• Verb:
  • She did not blench when she heard the terrible news, showing remarkable courage.
  • Even the bravest soldier might blench at the sight of such a monster.
  • His face blenched visibly as the verdict was read aloud in the courtroom.

Advanced Usage

• "to blench at something": to show fear or reluctance when faced with a specific thing.
  • He blenched at the thought of having to give a speech to such a large audience.
• Used to describe a reaction not just to physical danger but also to unpleasant tasks or ideas.
  • The politician blenched when asked about the corruption scandal.

Variants and Related Words

• Blanching (verb, present participle): The act of turning pale or becoming white. Often used in both emotional and culinary contexts (e.g., blanching vegetables).
  • Her blanching face betrayed her terror.

Synonyms

• Flinch: To make a quick, nervous movement as an instinctive reaction to fear or pain.
• Recoil: To suddenly spring or flinch back in fear, horror, or disgust.
• Cringe: To bend one's head and body in fear or in a servile manner.
• Quail: To feel or show fear or apprehension.

Phrasal Verbs

Note: "Blench" is not commonly used with particles to form standard phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically contained within the single word.

Related Idioms

• "Not blench an inch": To not show any fear or hesitation. (A less common, literary idiom).
  • He faced his critics and did not blench an inch.

Học thuật

Verb

1. turn pale, as if in fear

Từ đồng nghĩa

• pale
• blanch