cringing

SayKRIN-jing/ˈkɹɪnd͡ʒɪŋ/

2 meanings of cringing

1
verb
Present participle and gerund of cringe. Use it when someone is shrinking back in fear or shame right now.
The cat started cringing when the vacuum cleaner roared to life.
His nervous cringing at every bit of criticism wore on the whole team.
Note
2
noununcountable
The act of pulling back in fear, or acting very humble to please someone.
Her constant cringing whenever the boss spoke made the meeting tense.
The dog's cringing showed how badly it had been treated.
Similargroveling, fawning, flinching
Note

cringing is a form of cringe

cringe, verb: To feel a sharp wave of embarrassment, disgust, or fear inside. Full entry

Forms: cringecringes he/she/itcringing -ing formcringed past tense, past participle
Spelling: cringe → cringing: drop the e, add -ing

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