The meaning of FLINCH is to withdraw or shrink from or as if from pain : wince; also : to tense the muscles involuntarily in anticipation of discomfort. How to use flinch in a sentence.

If you flinch from something unpleasant, you are unwilling to do it or think about it, or you avoid doing it. The world community should not flinch in the face of this challenge. [VERB] He has never flinched …

Phrasal verb flinch from something/doing something (Definition of flinch from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

to make a sudden movement back or away in fear, pain etc.

FLINCH definition: to draw back or shrink, as from what is dangerous, difficult, or unpleasant. See examples of flinch used in a sentence.

Definition of flinch verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Jan 2, 2026 · From Middle French flenchir (“to bend”), of Germanic origin. Compare Middle High German lenken (“to bend”). Attested in English since the 16th century. flinch (plural flinches) A …

Definition of flinch. English dictionary and integrated thesaurus for learners, writers, teachers, and students with advanced, intermediate, and beginner levels.

to draw back or shrink, as from something dangerous, painful, or difficult: [no object] The dog flinched at the noise.[~ + from + object] I won't flinch from hard work.

To flinch is to react to pain by wincing, pulling away, or cringing. Often it's used to describe a person who shows a moment of weakness or fright: he was so tough, I thought he'd never flinch, but snakes …