Wince at (something) phrasal verb informal
To suddenly change the expression on your face as a reaction to pain or discomfort or something disagreeable; to grimace
The boy slipped and fell on the ice. He winced at the pain.
She winces at his impoliteness.
If you say that you pare (something) to the bone, you mean that you reduce to the lowest level.
The verb "wince" should be conjugated according to its tense.