simple past tense and past participle of flinch

present participle of flinch

A flinching motion; a flinch.

Third-person singular simple present indicative form of flinch

(intransitive) To make a sudden, involuntary movement in response to a (usually negative) stimulus; to cringe. / To dodge (a question), to avoid an unpleasant task or duty

A reflexive jerking away. / (croquet) The slipping of the foot from a ball, when attempting to give a tight croquet.

Alternative form of flense

plural of flinching

Said after causing someone to flinch in anticipation of an attack, implying that the act of flinching permits the attack to be repeated.