To draw away involuntarily, usually out of fear or disgust

• wince

  1. To shrink or draw back slightly, usually with a grimace, as in pain, embarrassment, alarm, etc.
  2. To wash (cloth), dip it in dye, etc., with the use of a wince.
  3. To shrink or start involuntarily, as in pain or distress; flinch.

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  1. To shrink or draw back slightly, usually with a grimace, as in pain, embarrassment, alarm, etc.
  2. To wash (cloth), dip it in dye, etc., with the use of a wince.
  3. To shrink or start involuntarily, as in pain or distress; flinch.

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• start

  1. To found; establish:
  2. (Now Chiefly Dial.) To cause to start, or move involuntarily; startle
  3. To set into motion, operation, or activity:

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  1. To found; establish:
  2. (Now Chiefly Dial.) To cause to start, or move involuntarily; startle
  3. To set into motion, operation, or activity:

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• shy

  1. To avoid engaging in, treating, or discussing something:
  2. To move suddenly or draw back, as if startled or afraid:
  3. To move suddenly as when startled; jump; start; recoil

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  1. To avoid engaging in, treating, or discussing something:
  2. To move suddenly or draw back, as if startled or afraid:
  3. To move suddenly as when startled; jump; start; recoil

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• shrink

  1. To become reduced in amount or value; dwindle:
  2. To show reluctance; hesitate:
  3. To hold back, as from taking action; hesitate or recoil

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  1. To become reduced in amount or value; dwindle:
  2. To show reluctance; hesitate:
  3. To hold back, as from taking action; hesitate or recoil

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• recoil

  1. To fall back; return:

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  1. To fall back; return:

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• quail

  1. To draw back in fear; lose heart or courage; cower

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  1. To draw back in fear; lose heart or courage; cower

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• flinch

  1. To recoil, as from something unpleasant or difficult; shrink.
  2. To let the foot slip from a ball, when attempting to give a tight croquet.
  3. To start or wince involuntarily, as from surprise or pain.

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  1. To recoil, as from something unpleasant or difficult; shrink.
  2. To let the foot slip from a ball, when attempting to give a tight croquet.
  3. To start or wince involuntarily, as from surprise or pain.

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• cringe

  1. To act in a timid, servile manner; fawn
  2. To behave in a servile way; fawn.
  3. To draw back, bend, crouch, etc., as when afraid; shrink from something dangerous or painful

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  1. To act in a timid, servile manner; fawn
  2. To behave in a servile way; fawn.
  3. To draw back, bend, crouch, etc., as when afraid; shrink from something dangerous or painful

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