flinch verb

ADV. violently | almost | hardly He hardly flinched when he was hit. | slightly | visibly | inwardly She flinched inwardly as he took her hand. | away

VERB + FLINCH make sb Her finger touched the scar on his forehead, making him flinch.

PREP. at She flinched visibly at the sight of the body. | from She flinched away from him. (figurative) She won't flinch from speaking her mind. | with He flinched with the force of the blow.