recoil, shrink, flinch, wince, blench, quail mean to draw back in fear or distaste. recoil implies a start or movement away through shock, fear, or disgust.
recoiled at the suggestion of stealing shrink suggests an instinctive recoil through sensitiveness, scrupulousness, or cowardice.
shrank from the unpleasant truth flinch implies a failure to endure pain or face something dangerous or frightening with resolution.
faced her accusers without flinchingwince suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction (such as a start or recoiling).
winced in pain blench implies fainthearted flinching.
stood their ground without blenchingquail suggests shrinking and cowering in fear.
quailed before the apparition
