Something is cringe if it elicits feelings of discomfort or embarrassment stemming from an action or aspect that is contrary to popular or personal aesthetics. Cringe may refer to: The Cringe, a U.S. rock band. Cringe comedy, a comedy genre. Cringe pop, a genre of pop music. See also. Cultural cringe, the feeling of inferiority about one's own culture. Ick, a slang term of the youth used with the definite article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cringe