wince

Vocabulary Word

Definition

The word 'wince' describes a brief, involuntary reaction to pain, discomfort, or surprise. It's a bit like cringing, often used when someone experiences sudden discomfort or hears something unpleasant.

Examples in Different Contexts

In everyday situations, 'wince' can describe reactions to uncomfortable situations. Someone might say, 'I couldn’t help but wince when I saw him trying to walk on his sprained ankle, each step a testament to his resilience.'

Practice Scenarios

Tech

Scenario:

This new software looks promising, but the reported glitches seem to be a pain point. We should be prepared if we want to use it.

Response:

It’s true, I winced when I read the bug reports. Despite its potential, I think we should consider other software as well.

Business

Scenario:

The client seemed particularly rattled when we brought up the delivery schedule. We might need to approach the topic carefully next time.

Response:

I observed the client's reaction too. They seemed to wince at our proposed timeline, so a more flexible plan might need to be considered.