# cringing

Pronunciation: say "KRIN-jing" /ˈkɹɪnd͡ʒɪŋ/

## Verb

1. Present participle and gerund of cringe. — present participle and gerund of cringe
   - Simple: Present participle and gerund of cringe. Use it when someone is shrinking back in fear or shame right now.
   - _She was cringing visibly as the awkward speech dragged on._
   - _Cringing in anticipation of the blow, the boy covered his face._

## Noun

2. The act of shrinking back or flinching in fear, or of behaving in an excessively humble, servile way.
   - Simple: The act of pulling back in fear, or acting very humble to please someone.
   - _His endless cringing before his superiors disgusted his colleagues._
   - _The new recruit's cringing at every shout from the sergeant only drew more shouting._

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/cringing (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).