Dic: cringe (as a verb)

• Molly had cringed when Ann started picking up the guitar.     
• Chris had cringed at the thought of using her own family for publicity.     
• I cringed in horror. 
• He may cringe and growl, or cringe and not growl; but he either beats or cringes. (Great Expectations by Dickens, Charles View in context)

1. VERB | If you cringe at something, you feel embarrassed or disgusted, and perhaps show this feeling in your expression or by making a slight movement. (= recoil) 
2. (1) to shrink or flinch, esp in fear or servility.
   (3) Informal. (a)  to wince in embarrassment or distaste. (b) to experience a sudden feeling of embarrassment or distaste.

.... Cobuild, Collins