cringeful

English

Etymology

From cringe +‎ -ful.

Adjective

cringeful (comparative more cringeful, superlative most cringeful)

1. Tending to make one cringe; embarrassing or frightening.
   • 1993 -, Theatre Record - Volume 13, Issues 1-9, page 222:

     As the audience is propelled towards a state of cringeful suspense, the script is littered with recriminations and wit.

   • 2011, Cath Kenneally, Jetty Road, →ISBN, page 44:

     Viciously massaging conditioner through her dripping hair, Paula lets the footage play to the cringeful end.

   • 2013, Debbianne DeRose, How I Met the Man of My Dreams:: a Guide to MANifesting® Yours, →ISBN:

     And if you see a woman in a cringeful relationship and conclude that you'd rather stay single, have you considered that there just might be other options besides the measly two your Physical Mind is presenting?

2. Tending to cringe.
   • 1960, The New York Times Theater Reviews - Volume 7, page 407:

     He is correctly ferocious, but like all bullies cringeful before the malevolent Katisha.

   • 2010, Mary Kitt-Neel, Asunderland, →ISBN:

     One email was from her brother, however, and this made Bridget both happy and cringeful since she owed him several hundred dollars for some car repairs he'd taken care of for her.

   • 2012, Bambi Harris, Cherubim Castles and the Garden of Bliss: The Elysium Scrolls, →ISBN:

     Despite his angel sibling's cringeful reactions to his fashion and excessive cheerfulness, his glasses are a kind of symbol of his unique connection to humanity.