cringeworthy

comparative more cringeworthy · comparative cringeworthier · superlative most cringeworthy · superlative cringeworthiest · alternative cringe-worthy

1. informalThat causes or may cause one to cringe with disgust, embarrassment (often vicarious embarrassment), etc.; awkward, disgusting, embarrassing.

   After asking followers for their own embarrassing experiences, the topic quickly went viral, with other fans tweeting their cringe-worthiest moments.

   2018 November 15, Jessica Rach, “‘I told Daniel Radcliffe he looked like a wizard’: Twitter users share their most hilariously embarrassing celebrity encounters – including mistaking Ed Sheeran for a waiter”, in Daily Mail, London: DMG Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 03 Jun 2019

   5 more examples

   But the top goon's one-panel reform described by Robin on the last page was absolutely cringeworthy … especially since the author had so successfully built up his image as a first-rate shnook.

   1967 November, Guy Lillian, “Letters to the Batcave”, in Batman, number 196, Sparta, Ill.: National Periodical Publications, →OCLC, column 2

   Lena Dunham's acclaimed show about the highs and lows – but mostly lows – of being young in the city ends its first season this week. We remember the cringe-worthiest moments we almost wish we didn't.

   2012 June 15, Halle Kiefer, “The Ten Most Cringe-Worthy Moments on ‘Girls’”, in Rolling Stone, New York, N.Y.: Penske Media Corporation, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 30 Jun 2025

   When most people think of cringe-worthy disco-era fashion, John Travolta’s breakout feature, Saturday Night Fever, comes to mind. But for even cringe-worthier disco styles, seek out Saturday Night Fever’s 1983 Sylvester Stallone–directed sequel, Staying Alive. In the follow-up, Travolta’s lovable, if cocky, dancer Tony Manero downgrades from his white disco suit to Grecian-style dancing briefs, cloth knee-high dancing boots, and enough body oil to warrant a “special thanks” in the credits.

   2012 August 25, Julie Miller, “The 25 Least Fashionable Films of All Time”, in Graydon Carter, editor, Vanity Fair, New York, N.Y.: Condé Nast, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 26 Jan 2015

   The last word on words has spoken. Oxford Dictionaries chose "vape" as the word of the year. It was selected over cringeworthier choices such as "slacktivism" or "bae" – the latter a term of endearment that was a top contender for censorship in Time magazine's "Which Word Should Be Banned in 2015?" poll.

   2014 November 18, Gail Sullivan, “Oxford Dictionaries’ word of the year is ‘vape’”, in The Washington Post, Washington, D.C.: The Washington Post Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 18 Dec 2014

   These ads aren't as bad as some of the worst ads from previous years – let us not forget the gross GoDaddy commercials, or the Nationwide "Dead Kid" commercial of Super Bowls past – but they’re definitely the cringeworthiest of an already forgettable crop.

   2017 February 5, Maura Judkis, Bethonie Butler, “The five worst Super Bowl commercials”, in The Washington Post, Washington, D.C.: The Washington Post Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 06 Feb 2017

   Synonyms: cringe, cringey, squirmworthy, winceworthy