cringe
To "cringe" is to experience an intense, often physical, feeling of embarrassment or awkwardness on behalf of someone else. Imagine seeing someone trip in public or say something deeply inappropriate; the word captures that involuntary shrinking or wincing sensation you get when the situation is just too uncomfortable to watch. In modern slang, "cringe" is frequently used as an adjective to describe anything that induces this feeling, such as a bad joke, an awkward social interaction, or forced behavior. It is highly informal and is most commonly used among younger generations to call out things that feel inauthentic or painfully embarrassing.
In conversation
Discussing a bad video
Did you see that TikTok he posted?
Did you see that TikTok he posted?
Ugh, I had to scroll past immediately. It was so cringe.
Ugh, I had to scroll past immediately. It was so cringe.
Used here as an adjective to describe content that is embarrassing to watch.
Recalling an awkward moment
I still cringe whenever I think about my speech at the graduation.
I still cringe whenever I think about my speech at the graduation.
Oh no, was it that bad?
Oh no, was it that bad?
Used here as a verb to describe a personal reaction to a memory.
Examples
I cringed when he tried to flirt with the waiter.
I cringed when he tried to flirt with the waiter.
The movie was full of cringe moments that made it hard to finish.
The movie was full of cringe moments that made it hard to finish.
It is genuinely cringe-worthy to watch politicians try to use current slang to sound relatable.
It is genuinely cringe-worthy to watch politicians try to use current slang to sound relatable.
