Definition

1. Noun:

   • A reflex response to sudden pain: A quick, involuntary movement or shrinking back, often of the face or body, in reaction to unexpected pain or discomfort.
   • The facial expression of sudden pain: A brief, pained look on someone's face, typically involving a tightening of the muscles around the eyes and mouth.

2. Verb:

   • To make a face indicating disgust or dislike: To briefly show a slight, often involuntary, expression of pain, distress, or discomfort on one's face, usually in reaction to something unpleasant.
   • To draw back, as with fear or pain: To flinch or shrink back slightly, often as an instinctive physical reaction to something painful or frightening.

Examples

• Noun:

  • He gave a slight wince as the nurse inserted the needle.
  • A wince of pain crossed her face when she stubbed her toe.

• Verb:

  • She winced when she heard his pompous speech.
  • I winced at the sound of the car's grinding gears.
  • He winced and drew his hand back from the hot surface.

Advanced Usage

• "without a wince": Without showing any sign of pain or discomfort; stoically.
  • He endured the criticism without a wince.
• "to wince at the memory/thought of something": To react with a mental or physical flinch when remembering or thinking about something unpleasant.
  • She still winces at the memory of her embarrassing mistake.

Variants and Related Words

• Wincingly (adverb): In a manner that shows or causes a wince.
  • The memory came back to him wincingly.
• Wincer (noun, rare): One who winces.

Synonyms

• Flinch: To make a quick, nervous movement as an instinctive reaction to fear or pain.
• Cringe: To bend one's head and body in fear or in a servile manner; also, to experience an inward shiver of embarrassment or disgust.
• Recoil: To suddenly spring or flinch back in fear, horror, or disgust.
• Grimace: To make a twisted expression on the face to show pain, disgust, or disapproval.

Related Phrases

• Wince away from: To shrink or recoil from something.
  • The child winced away from the barking dog.

Noun

1. a reflex response to sudden pain
2. the facial expression of sudden pain

Verb

1. make a face indicating disgust or dislike
   • She winced when she heard his pompous speech
2. draw back, as with fear or pain
   • she flinched when they showed the slaughtering of the calf