recoil

¹re·coil

verb \ri-ˈkȯi(-ə)l\

Definition of RECOIL

intransitive verb

1

a : 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

Examples of RECOIL

1. We recoiled in horror at the sight of his wounded arm.
2. He recoiled from her touch.
3. The rifle recoiled and bruised my shoulder.

Origin of RECOIL

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to RECOIL

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

Related Words: blanch, pale, whiten; quake, quiver, shake, shudder, tremble; crouch; jerk, start, twitch; recede, retire, retreat, withdraw; falter, hesitate, reel, waver

Near Antonyms: advance, approach, near; beard, challenge, confront, defy, face

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Synonym Discussion of RECOIL

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 (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>.