cringeworthy

adjective

cringe·​wor·​thy ˈkrinj-ˌwər-t͟hē How to pronounce cringeworthy (audio)
: so embarrassing, awkward, or upsetting as to cause one to cringe
a cringeworthy performance

Examples of cringeworthy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The video’s earnestness, so cringeworthy today, gives the lie to the summer hype about Harris recapturing Obama-mania. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 28 Oct. 2024 Coming at the tail end of a week thick in some of the worst and most cringeworthy events of an extremely uncommon election, tonight’s SNL had Beetlejuice franchise star Michael Keaton back as host for a fourth time — start measuring that Five-Timers jacket. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2024 Her character's actions, though sometimes cringeworthy, are seen as inspiring and entertaining. Brad Adgate, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024 Through it all, Musk himself kept up the commentary on his profile, promising a new and improved app, posting cringeworthy memes, sniping at his critics, and mixing it up with his new MAGA-world friends while amplifying their false claims and conspiracy theories. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cringeworthy 

Word History

First Known Use

1977, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cringeworthy was in 1977

Dictionary Entries Near cringeworthy

Cite this Entry

“Cringeworthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cringeworthy. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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