Synonyms:
flinch, squinch, funk, cringe, shrink, wince, recoil, quail
Meaning: draw back, as with fear or pain; "she flinched when they showed the slaughtering of the calf"
Usage examples
But I was ashamed to recoil in the presence of the hunter.
The blaze of interest in Drake's eyes at these questions changed to amazement at her stricken recoil from them.