Winced is a common word used to describe a physical reaction to pain or discomfort. However, there are several other synonyms available that can also be used to express the same emotion. One such synonym is grimaced, which describes a facial expression of pain or disapproval. Cringed is another synonym that denotes a physical response to a sudden shock or unpleasant surprise. Other synonyms for winced include flinched, recoiled, shrank, and shuddered. These words may come in handy if you want to describe a character's reaction in a unique and engaging way. By substituting different synonyms for winced, you can add depth and variety to your writing.