facial expression of sympathetic pain?

Question

What would you call a facial expression displayed at sight of someone hurting - the kind of involuntary grimace when you imagine just how much it hurt?

Hi, (it's me again) every so often I go through posts which have "How do you call....?" or "How are ______ called?" in their questions or titles. See the discussion in this post: “How do we call (something) in English?” Would you mind editing your question to “What* would you call a facial...?”* Thanks! — Mari-Lou A, May 04 '16 at 22:30

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Nov 29 '13 at 14:49

1

flinch verb past tense: flinched; past participle: flinched 1. make a quick, nervous movement of the face or body as an instinctive reaction to fear or pain.

a synonym would be wince

answered Nov 29 '13 at 14:49

Gurpreet K Sekhon

2,663

3

I do not think flinch and wince are synonyms, but I do think wince is the word OP is looking for. – Nov 29 '13 at 15:14
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I agree with @onomatomaniak. Flinching is more of a movement, wincing can be more of a scrunching of the face. – Avner Shahar-Kashtan Nov 29 '13 at 15:28
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I think you would need to call it a 'sympathetic wince' wouldn't you? – WS2 Nov 29 '13 at 16:40

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 21 '14 at 00:49

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Another good word to describe this reaction would be cringe, experience an inward shiver of embarrassment or disgust. or to shrink, bend, or crouch, especially in fear or servility; cower.

answered Jun 21 '14 at 00:49

SF.

11,386

facial expression of sympathetic pain?

2 Answers2