1. v. cringe - to recoil in embarrassment
2. n. cringe - an instance of recoiling in embarrassment
Modern usage stems from its popularity among uncreative Zoomers circa 2013 who continue employ it as a banal and inane pejorative in virtual discourse when they feel threatened by media, memes, or posts that 1. break convention as defined by their narrow social experience in an arbitrary microcosm of internet culture 2. exceed their puerile comprehension in complexity or length or 3. induce even the slightest sense of insecurity for which they cannot muster a lazy conditioned riposte.
In this regard, the word has come to mean "An expression of pious and empty derision toward another person's thoughts, actions, or beliefs that (without discussion) implies ones own beliefs are normative and therefore superior."
2. n. cringe - an instance of recoiling in embarrassment
Modern usage stems from its popularity among uncreative Zoomers circa 2013 who continue employ it as a banal and inane pejorative in virtual discourse when they feel threatened by media, memes, or posts that 1. break convention as defined by their narrow social experience in an arbitrary microcosm of internet culture 2. exceed their puerile comprehension in complexity or length or 3. induce even the slightest sense of insecurity for which they cannot muster a lazy conditioned riposte.
In this regard, the word has come to mean "An expression of pious and empty derision toward another person's thoughts, actions, or beliefs that (without discussion) implies ones own beliefs are normative and therefore superior."
Example 1 - laziness is normative
Person 1: *posts comment exceeding 500 characters*
Person 2: *reads in entirety* "cringe, didn't read"
Example 2: intransigence is normative
Person 1: "I disagree with your opinion"
Person 2: "cringe"
Example 3: ones personal tastes are normative
Person 1: "I really enjoyed that movie"
Person 2: "ugh, cringe"
Person 1: *posts comment exceeding 500 characters*
Person 2: *reads in entirety* "cringe, didn't read"
Example 2: intransigence is normative
Person 1: "I disagree with your opinion"
Person 2: "cringe"
Example 3: ones personal tastes are normative
Person 1: "I really enjoyed that movie"
Person 2: "ugh, cringe"
by CheatsaPizza March 04, 2021
A word that post-millenial, emotionally stunted children and young teenagers use to react to innocuous but heartfelt displays of affection or desire.
Mr Rogers: "I like you just the way you are."
Pre-millenial 7-14 year-old internal response: "Thank you, I needed that today."
Post-millenial 7-14 year-old internal response: "Cringe. I'm going to watch Naruto and his psychopathic non-friends commit sadistic acts of violence."
Pre-millenial 7-14 year-old internal response: "Thank you, I needed that today."
Post-millenial 7-14 year-old internal response: "Cringe. I'm going to watch Naruto and his psychopathic non-friends commit sadistic acts of violence."
by Aardvarkopotamus August 13, 2021
by botnigs October 07, 2020
UK slang. An extremely awkward, uncomfortable situation caused by a person, group of people or environment, causing extreme embarrassment. The resultant effect on the surrounding non-cringe people is usually shame, chagrin or vexation or a combination of these.
1. "Mate, I can't believe that Fred was wasted and tried to get with a guy. Absolute cringe."
2. "Mate, I can't believe that Fred got wasted and fell down the stairs naked in front of that girl he fancied. That was cringe. Solid banter though."
2. The epitomy of "cringe": youtube.com/watch?v=g_vqb8jkOOs
2. "Mate, I can't believe that Fred got wasted and fell down the stairs naked in front of that girl he fancied. That was cringe. Solid banter though."
2. The epitomy of "cringe": youtube.com/watch?v=g_vqb8jkOOs
by solidbant2001 February 07, 2011
11-year old girls in roblox who pose as uwu gay pastel white furry boys for attention/friends thanks to the gacha community or some kind of yaoi
"Timothy:" uh.. h-hey!! i'm timwothy!!1! >W< can we be freinds..? 'O//O
*irl friend Martha joins the server*
Martha: Annie? Isn't that you? ..And why are you dressed like one of those gay dudes in gacha vids?
"Timothy:" wat are you talking about? i'm annie's bwother, timothyyy!!! >:3
Martha: Annie, you don't have a brother.
"Timothy:" LET ME BE A GAY FURRY IN PECE!!!!!!!1!!!
Martha: Oh my God, why am I friends with you? You're so cringe..
*irl friend Martha joins the server*
Martha: Annie? Isn't that you? ..And why are you dressed like one of those gay dudes in gacha vids?
"Timothy:" wat are you talking about? i'm annie's bwother, timothyyy!!! >:3
Martha: Annie, you don't have a brother.
"Timothy:" LET ME BE A GAY FURRY IN PECE!!!!!!!1!!!
Martha: Oh my God, why am I friends with you? You're so cringe..
by confused nick face October 12, 2019
Cringe™ is something you do when you see something you don't like, or find annoying. Cringe™ can be used in many various situations like, a grown man being awkward or a little kid doing something inappropriate. There are many other phrases, for example: cringeworthy (something is being worthy of being cringed at)
by HarryStylesCutout April 26, 2018
by pettiestbitchhere March 24, 2017