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 3, 2021
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CRINGE!
• cringey
• cringelord
• cringer
• Cringe Culture
• cringeworthy
• cringe attack
• Cringe Binge
• cringe-fest
• Cringe baby
by 1223436787975 May 3, 2021
Get the Cringe mug.Before the internet trolls changed the meaning of this word, "cringe" was a verb used to express embarrassment or disgust.
Now, this word is mostly used to define something that you dislike or do not understand. Internet trolls use this word as an insult towards people in fandoms, with bad grammar, or both combined. Trolls also use this word to describe memes on some occasions.
Now, this word is mostly used to define something that you dislike or do not understand. Internet trolls use this word as an insult towards people in fandoms, with bad grammar, or both combined. Trolls also use this word to describe memes on some occasions.
1: It smells like cat vomit in here. *cringe*
2: That YouTube video was pure cringe.
3: Troll: youre cringe
4: Troll: All of those overused memes are cringe.
2: That YouTube video was pure cringe.
3: Troll: youre cringe
4: Troll: All of those overused memes are cringe.
by Screech McGee July 15, 2016
Get the Cringe mug.Isabella: OMQ I JUST STARTED MY TIKTOK AND YESTERDAY AND MY FANS ARE GOING CRAZY
: *Isabella posting another cringe tiktok dance* and her starbucks
: *Isabella posting another cringe tiktok dance* and her starbucks
by LESS GOOO meme lover April 21, 2021
Get the Cringe mug.by Jolo7t June 10, 2018
Get the Cringe mug.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
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