recoil

1 of 2

verb

re·​coil ri-ˈkȯi(-ə)l 

recoiled; recoiling; recoils

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

recoil

2 of 2

noun

re·​coil ˈrē-ˌkȯi(-ə)l  ri-ˈkȯi(-ə)l 

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 of recoil

Verb

• flinch
• wince

Choose the Right Synonym for 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 (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.

The rifle recoiled and bruised my shoulder.

Noun

The gun has a sharp recoil.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Then, as things dragged on, Goldberg could be seen recoiling and wincing in her chair — and, at one point, fully collapsing backward in protest. —Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Mar. 2026

There’s a scene in which Frank meets his own idol, an alt-world version of Fred Astaire (played by Gyllenhaal’s brother Jake, who is good at mugging and singing), and vomits his fandom at him until the actor recoils. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026

Noun

David asks whether the country can find a way back from a dangerous moral and political impasse, as a majority of Americans recoil from these actions while a determined minority continue to defend them. —David Frum, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026

Fans recoil at the idea of betrayal. —Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing recoil

• recoil-operated

Rhymes for recoil

• airfoil
• benzoyl
• despoil
• embroil
• etoile
• gargoyle
• subsoil
• tinfoil
• topsoil
• trefoil
• turmoil
• aerofoil

Kids Definition

recoil

1 of 2 verb

re·​coil ri-ˈkȯi(ə)l 

1

a

: to fall back under pressure : retreat

b

: to shrink back

recoil in horror

2

: to spring back to or as if to a starting point

the compressed spring recoiled upon release

the big gun recoiled upon firing

recoil

2 of 2 noun

re·​coil ˈrē-ˌkȯil 

ri-ˈkȯi(ə)l

1

: the act or action of recoiling

2

: the distance through which something (as a spring) recoils