1. bent in fear or apprehension: "he lugged his carry-on bag and computer case past cringing passengers wary of being hit"
▪ obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree: "we are surrounded by cringing yes-men and sycophants"
▪ experiencing embarrassment or disgust:"he was left cringing with embarrassment after stumbling over his lines during a West End performance of Macbeth"
