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Flinch

/flɪntʃ/

A reflexive jerking away.

📖 Definitions of "Flinch"

noun

1
A reflexive jerking away.
"My eye doctor hates the flinch I have every time he tries to get near my eyes."
2
The slipping of the foot from a ball, when attempting to give a tight croquet.

verb

1
To make a sudden, involuntary movement in response to a (usually negative) stimulus; to cringe.
2
To dodge (a question), to avoid an unpleasant task or duty
3
To let the foot slip from a ball, when attempting to give a tight croquet.

7 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
recoilnoun	To pull back, especially in disgust, horror or astonishment.
cringeverb	(intransitive, figuratively) To experience an inward feeling of disgust, embarrassment, or fear; (by extension) to feel very embarrassed.
shrinkverb	(intransitive) To become smaller; to contract.
quailnoun	Any of various small game birds of the genera Coturnix, Anurophasis or Perdicula in the Old World family Phasianidae or of the New World family Odontophoridae.
squinchnoun	(transitive) To scrunch up (one's face, etc.).
funknoun	(uncountable, music) A style of music derived from 1960s soul music, with elements of rock and other styles, characterized by a prominent bass guitar, dance-friendly sound, a strong emphasis on the downbeat, and much syncopation.
winceverb	(intransitive) To flinch as if in pain or distress.

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
winceverb	(intransitive) To flinch as if in pain or distress.
cringeverb	(intransitive, figuratively) To experience an inward feeling of disgust, embarrassment, or fear; (by extension) to feel very embarrassed.
quailverb	(intransitive) To lose heart or courage; to be daunted or fearful.
shrinkverb	(intransitive) To become smaller; to contract.
recoilverb	To pull back, especially in disgust, horror or astonishment.
funkverb	(intransitive) To emit an offensive smell; to stink.
squinchverb	(transitive) To scrunch up (one's face, etc.).
blinkverb	(intransitive) To close and reopen both eyes quickly.
retreatverb	(intransitive) To withdraw from a position, go back.
moveverb	(intransitive) To change place or posture; to go, in any manner, from one place or position to another.
budgeverb	(intransitive) To move; to be shifted from a fixed position.
balkverb	To omit, miss, or overlook by chance.
flirtnoun	An act of flirting.
flurtnoun	Archaic form of flirt. [A sudden jerk; a quick throw or cast; a darting motion]
flitnoun	A fluttering or darting movement.
jerknoun	A sudden, often uncontrolled movement, especially of the human body.
jumpnoun	The act of jumping; a leap; a spring; a bound.
flicknoun	A short, quick movement, especially a brush, sweep, or flip.
flickernoun	An unsteady flash of light.
glancenoun	(also figuratively) A brief or cursory look.