73 Times People Didn’t Realize How Cringe They Were Being (New Pics)

Jason Sargent Monday, February 23, 2026

Miguel OrdoñezMon, February 23, 2026 at 4:27 AM UTC

Awkwardness is a powerful emotion. It’s so potent that you can viscerally feel it even through secondhand means, much like the photos you’re about to see.

These are from the Cringe Pics subreddit, and the page profile says it all: “When it hurts just to look.” Indeed, these images may make you go “Yikes,” then leave you shaking your head out of pity and embarrassment.

We’ve picked some of the photos that stood out to us, which may give you the same emotions as someone who faceplants in front of a large crowd. But be warned, your face may get tired from all the cringing.

#1 The American Tourist I Saw In Greece

#2 Panhandler Patrol

#3 This Is The Worst Thing I’ve Ever Seen

“Cringe” as we know it today is fairly new. These days, people take some satisfaction in seeing others' cringeworthy moments. According to psychotherapist Nicholas Balaisis, it’s a way to feel superior while also recognizing that we may be vulnerable to this type of “failed self-display.”

“As we increasingly occupy more space online—posting about ourselves as part of the routine of everyday life—we make ourselves vulnerable to inadvertently posting cringeworthy content,” he noted.

#4 Saw This Guy At The Airport

#5 This

#6 One Of Elon’s Exes, Grimes Had This To Say About Their Child…

Indeed, there has been a prevalent fear of “being cringe,” especially among young people who are always online. So much so that it has become a source of anxiety and worry, according to psychologist Lauren Zannetino.

"They're stopping themselves from being authentic … and doing the things that they want to do out of fear that it's going to be filmed by someone and posted online,” Zannetino told ABC News Australia.

#7 Level 1000 Cringe

My police department posted this stupid photo of their sheriffs. This is our taxes at work. They think they're part of Tropic freaking Thunder.

#8 Shoes Of Austrian Far-Right Politician

#9 Bro Thinks He's A Hero

However, there is a bit of an upside in keeping in mind what cringeworthy behavior is, especially online. According to Balaisis, it’s a form of “psychological discipline” that helps us shape the parameters of what we should and shouldn’t post.

“It is perhaps no wonder that we also see a rise in public apologies that try to mitigate self-inflicted damages to our public profile and persona,” he said.

#10 Allegedly, These Are Real Photos From A Recently Held Event At Mar-A-Lago. Couldn't Make This Up If I Tried

#11 Found In My Neighborhood

#12 Giant "Thank You Elon" Behind A Cybertruck

Meanwhile, Zannettino believes that being cringe should be seen as a sign of authenticity and vulnerability, rather than something shameful. She says, “In order to be free, we have to be a little bit cringe."

#13 Chicks Dig Me

#14 16 Year Old Me On The Far Left At A Birthday Party I Wasn’t Invited To [2011]

#15 My Relatives

But if you’re all about avoiding looking cringeworthy for the internet to see, Balaisis has one piece of advice: pay constant attention to your online presentation of self. That means constantly updating it and staying aware of current trends.

“In short, managing your online self involves a great deal of labour and attention,” he said.

#16 “Short Pants Vance”

#17 The Level Of Degeneracy In This Picture Just Shaved Five Years Off My Life

#18 Evangelical Cringe

#19 Cyber Truck With Damage Stickers

#20 So Stunning And Brave… 🙄

#21 No

#22 Found At The Supermarket

#23 Sea World Pr Team Really Cooked With This One

#24 Swedish Sweets Company (Temporarily) Changing The Name Of Sour Tutti Frutti Sweets

#25 That Sounds Like A You-Problem

#26 Bizarre Photo Of Jd Vance Wearing A Blonde Wig And Silver Chains For A College Halloween Party

#27 A Photo That A 44 Year Old Man From Boston Unironically Sent To What He Thought Was An Underage Girl

#28 What??

#29 This Definitely Happened

#30 Not To Sure What To Think

#31 This Bar In My Area Uses Edgy AI Imagery As Decor

#32 Hello Mr. Monopoly

#33 Once Upon A Time I Sang In This Band Called Jamie’s Elsewhere. One Day There Was A Photo Shoot And All I Was Told Was “There Will Be Balloons”…

#34 Dad’s New Instagram

#35 I Wish There Was An Emoji For The Face I Made

#36 Men Want One Thing

#37 Photo Of The Bride & Groom For A Wedding In The Park I Found Today

#38 I’m Sorry What The Hell

#39 Huh

#40 What Is Going On In The Chatgpt Subreddit?

#41 Absolute Winner At My Local Gym Seeks Young, Lactose-Tolerant Girlfriend

#42 The Message On This Dudes Car

#43 This Woman Is Completely Serious

#44 Does This Guy Actually Think This Works?

#45 Clearance Rack "Patriotism"

#46 Cringe Or No?

#47 This Is So Unexpected

#48 “Welcome To Florida”

#49 Sent This In Response To A Spam Text But Accidentally Sent It To A Cremation Business For My Cat

#50 Reddit Is Getting Worse Every Day

#51 Crocs Boots

#52 This Person's Reply

#53 A Real Post From The President Of The United States, Donald Trump:

#54 The White House Is So Cringe Now

#55 I Mean, Really? 🙄

#56 Just AI "Boyfriend" Things

#57 Isn’t It Illegal To Deface Us Currency?

#58 Pick-Me Celeb

#59 Cringe In The Comment And Cringe At The Unnecessary Charges

#60 Elderly Women Swooning Over Trump

#61 Text I Sent To A Girl When I Was In 6th Grade😭

#62 Dad Remembers When He "Was Going To Join," But Didn't Because He Got His Son's Mom Pregnant

#63 Is This Really An Ad For What Looks Like… An Apology Necklace For Cheating??

#64 Pretty Much Every Product At These Mall Stores

#65 Local Woman Is Tattooing In Her Kitchen. Make Your Appointment Now!

#66 Imagine The Bravery It Takes To Announce This To TSA…

#67 Dawg

#68 My 9 Year Old Daughter And Her 2 Friends Asked Me To Read These Pages... While They Laughed... Because I'm Obviously Too Old (33) To Say This Stuff

#69 Copyright Law Shouldn't Exist

#70 The Sticker On This Car I Saw Today. The Car Had AZ Veteran License Plates To Boot. They Fought For Your Freedom Abroad, But Wants A Wall At The Arizona Border Like It’s A Gated Community