cringe vs flinch

cringe and flinch both are nouns.

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

As verbs, cringe and flinch are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of cringe include funk, quail, recoil, shrink, squinch, wince.

cringe (noun)	flinch (noun)
A posture or gesture of shrinking or recoiling.	a reflex response to sudden pain
some event or object that causes embarrassment and shame

cringe (verb)	flinch (verb)
show submission or fear	draw back, as with fear or pain
draw back, as with fear or pain