Cringe
Cringe verb - To draw back in fear, pain, or disgust.
Usage example: gruesome crime scene photos that made several jurors cringe
Start is a synonym for cringe in cower topic. In some cases you can use "Start" instead the word "Cringe" as a verb or a noun, when it comes to topics like approach, action, fear, flinch.
Start
Start verb - To move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise).
Usage example: I started from my chair when I heard the sudden scream
Cringe is a synonym for start in approach topic. You can use "Cringe" instead the word "Start" as a verb or a noun, if it concerns topics such as fear, recoil, balk, cower.
Common collocations
Both words in one sentence
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Cringe Comedy: Particularly near the start when the two main characters are still acting like their Man Child-selves.
Source: Film / Step Brothers -
Cringe Comedy: For example, Pete's decision to start acting out "war movies" on the bridge of HMS Belfast.
Source: Series / Outnumbered -
Try to not cringe in the first episodes when they start to use the 3rd opening animation.
Source: Manga / Sket Dance
Cite this Source
Start and Cringe. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/cringe/start
Cringe & Start. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/cringe/start>.
Start or Cringe. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/cringe/start.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "cringe" and "start" have occurred on timeline