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recoil

verb
re·​coil | \ ri-ˈkȯi(-ə)l How to pronounce recoil (audio) \
recoiled; recoiling; recoils

Definition of recoil

 (Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : to fall back under pressure
b : to shrink back physically or emotionally
2 : to spring back to or as if to a starting point : rebound
3 obsolete : degenerate

recoil

noun
re·​coil | \ ˈrē-ˌkȯi(-ə)l How to pronounce recoil (audio) , ri-ˈkȯi(-ə)l\

Definition of recoil (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the act or action of recoiling especially : the kickback of a gun upon firing
2 : reaction the recoil from the rigors of Calvinism— Edmund Wilson
Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about recoil

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Synonyms for recoil

Synonyms: Verb

blench, cringe, flinch, quail, shrink, squinch, wince

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Choose the Right Synonym for recoil

Verb

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 flinching wince suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction (such as a start or recoiling). winced in pain blench implies fainthearted flinching. stood their ground without blenching quail suggests shrinking and cowering in fear. quailed before the apparition

Examples of recoil in a Sentence

Verb

 We recoiled in horror at the sight of his wounded arm. He recoiled from her touch.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

 Wide-eyed and covering her mouth with her right arm, the actress appears to be recoiling from something just out of frame. — Joey Nolfi, EW.com, "Last Night in Soho," 31 Aug. 2019 The crux of the scene occurs when Victor gropes the actress under the table, causing her to recoil and spill wine on her shirt. — Rand Richards Cooper, courant.com, "In Our Midst: A Jersey Boy in Connecticut," 14 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'recoil.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of recoil

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for recoil

Verb

Middle English reculen, recoilen, from Anglo-French reculer, recuiler, from re- + cul backside — more at culet

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More Definitions for recoil

recoil

verb
How to pronounce recoil (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of recoil

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to quickly move away from something that is shocking, frightening, or disgusting : to react to something with shock or fear
of a gun : to move back suddenly when fired

recoil

noun
How to pronounce recoil (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of recoil (Entry 2 of 2)

: the sudden backward movement of a gun that happens when the gun is fired

See the full definition for recoil in the English Language Learners Dictionary

recoil

verb

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