cringe

/ˈkrinj/

Middle English crengen; akin to Old English cringan to yield, Middle High German krank weak

verb

  1. to recoil in distaste

  2. to shrink in fear or servility

  3. to behave in an excessively humble or servile way

Americans cringed … at the use of a term now regarded as a slur

fawn toady truckle cringe cower mean to behave abjectly before a superior. fawn implies seeking favor by servile flattery or exaggerated attention. toady suggests the attempt to ingratiate oneself by an abjectly menial or subservient attitude.

noun

  1. a cringing act; specifically : a servile bow

adjective

  1. so embarrassing, awkward, etc. as to cause one to cringe : cringeworthy

a cringe moment