blench 1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈblench 
Definition of blench
as in to flinch
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust she blenched from the horrible sight

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

blench

2 of 2

verb (2)

as in to bleach
to make white or whiter by removing color we'll have to blench the sheets with bleach to restore that snow-white look

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word blench distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of blench are flinch, quail, recoil, shrink, and wince. While all these words mean "to draw back in fear or distaste," blench implies fainthearted flinching.

stood their ground without blenching

When could flinch be used to replace blench?

Although the words flinch and blench have much in common, flinch implies a failure to endure pain or face something dangerous or frightening with resolution.

faced her accusers without flinching

When would quail be a good substitute for blench?

While in some cases nearly identical to blench, quail suggests shrinking and cowering in fear.

quailed before the apparition

Where would recoil be a reasonable alternative to blench?

The words recoil and blench are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, recoil implies a start or movement away through shock, fear, or disgust.

recoiled at the suggestion of stealing

When is shrink a more appropriate choice than blench?

The synonyms shrink and blench are sometimes interchangeable, but shrink suggests an instinctive recoil through sensitiveness, scrupulousness, or cowardice.

shrank from the unpleasant truth

When is it sensible to use wince instead of blench?

The meanings of wince and blench largely overlap; however, wince suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction (such as a start or recoiling).

winced in pain

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of blench
Verb
The tale is pilfered from the Aeneid, but Virgil would blench to see the curtain rise on Jupiter, dandling Ganymede, a beautiful boy, upon his knee. — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025 And for those who blench and tremble at the thought of audience participation, take a breath. — Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2022 Voters bored by the whole subject may blench at the prospect. — The Economist, 27 Mar. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blench
  1. flinch
  2. bleach
  3. recoil
  4. fade
  5. wince
Verb
  • The Value Of Clarity​ Clarity is the ability to answer three questions without flinching.
    — Andrew Kokes, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The brand is often compared to Dyson, a parallel Ozener doesn’t flinch at.
    — Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of flinch
Verb
  • Once they are recovered, the remains are often sun-bleached, scavenged and without any recognizable features, Kaplan said.
    — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • If a garment or surface isn’t clearly bleach safe, test the product on an inconspicuous area first.
    — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of bleach
Verb
  • All of these features make for a wonderfully light-recoiling shotgun.
    — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 12 Aug. 2026
  • When councilman Steve Novick threatened to sue, the Blazers recoiled and became obstinate.
    — Jason Quick, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of recoil
Verb
  • Bitcoin has been in a prolonged slump since October, and BTIG noted that a similar surge in January 2023 initially faded before the cryptocurrency found support around its 200-day moving average.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The crimson hue that may have been visible at the height of the eclipse will gradually fade as the crescent of the lunar disk exposed to direct sunlight grows, and normality reasserts itself over the natural satellite.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of fade
Verb
  • Toxicologist Fernández has stayed in touch with his patient and still winces about how Mark feared reporting the crime to the police could reflect poorly on him professionally.
    — Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026
  • My husband walked into the room and winced as one of the women changed into a perfect re-creation of an American Girl–doll outfit (very theater kid, not his thing).
    — Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of wince

Browse Nearby Words

blemishing
blench
blenched
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Cite this Entry

“Blench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blench. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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