wince /wɪns/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive]
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old North French ; Origin: wenchier 'to be impatient, move about suddenly' ]
1 . to suddenly change the expression on your face as a reaction to something painful or upsetting:
Sandra winced as the dentist started to drill.
2 . to suddenly feel very uncomfortable or embarrassed because of something that happens, something you remember etc SYN cringe
wince at the memory/thought/idea
I still wince at the thought of that terrible evening.
—wince noun [singular]