Draws back or tenses the muscles involuntarily, typically in response to pain, distress, or embarrassment. Shows a reflexive reaction of discomfort or anticipation of something unpleasant.
From Middle English winchen, from Old French guenchir meaning 'to turn aside' or 'avoid.' The word evolved from describing physical avoidance movements to include emotional or psychological recoil reactions.
Wincing is one of our most honest expressions—it's nearly impossible to fake convincingly because it involves micro-muscle movements that happen before conscious thought. Interestingly, we can wince not just at our own pain but empathetically when watching others experience discomfort.
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