cringe vs flex

cringe and flex both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
cringe	Yes	No	Yes	No
flex	Yes	No	Yes	No

As verbs, flex is a hypernym of cringe; that is, flex is a word with a broader meaning than cringe:

Other hypernyms of cringe include bend.

cringe (noun)	flex (noun)
A posture or gesture of shrinking or recoiling.	the act of flexing
some event or object that causes embarrassment and shame

cringe (verb)	flex (verb)
show submission or fear	cause (an object) to assume a crooked or angular form
draw back, as with fear or pain	bend a joint
	form a curve
	contract
	exhibit the strength of