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cringe
cringe away from someone or something
and cringe from someone or somethingto pull back or away from someone or something, as from fear. The child cringed away from the teacher. Why did you cringe away from the dentist's chair? The cat cringed from the fire. The child cringed from the huge dog.
cringe before someone or something
to cower or recoil in the presence of someone or something. Jeff cringed before the wrath of the policeman.