Definition of recoil
intransitive verb
1a : to fall back under pressureb : to shrink back physically or emotionally
2 : to spring back to or as if to a starting point : rebound
3 obsolete : degenerate
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Examples of recoil in a Sentence
We recoiled in horror at the sight of his wounded arm.
He recoiled from her touch.
The rifle recoiled and bruised my shoulder.
Recent Examples of recoil from the Web
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Moderate governments that may sympathise with their arguments on the single market will recoil from association with countries in the grip of populism.
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The trainees are equipped with a variety of tools including training firearms that recoil and weigh the same as an authentic firearm would.
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By virtue of the larger case and the need to control recoil, Magnums tend to be heavier.
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Alex recoiled when the blue paint was lathered on his hand.
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Apatow then does an impression of McCartney being handed a pen, wearing much the same expression of a person recoiling in absolute horror.
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While everyone from Nick Saban to Gus Malzahn has been recoiling in horror at the December early signing period, Kiffin's gone the other way.
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The schadenfreudic fever was heightened a few days later when Melania appeared to recoil from Trump's touch a second time in Rome.
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If North Korea launches a pre-emptive nuclear strike on an American military base in Asia, would the U.S. recoil and retreat?
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.
Origin and Etymology of recoil
Middle English reculen, recoilen, from Anglo-French reculer, recuiler, from re- + cul backside — more at culet
Synonym Discussion of recoil
Definition of recoil
Examples of recoil in a Sentence
The gun has a sharp recoil.
Recent Examples of recoil from the Web
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Larry was a pioneer in the sport of handgun hunting and revolutionized porting handguns and shotguns in an effort to reduce recoil and muzzle jump.
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The brake doesn’t hold and the recoil rolls the gun up the back of my leg, throwing me flat on my face.
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The collective recoil against the move prompted urgent meetings among Trump's aides to manage the fallout.
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Chameleons also aren't alone in using elastic recoil to their benefit.
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.
First Known Use of recoil
14th century
RECOIL Defined for English Language Learners
recoil
playDefinition of recoil for English Language Learners
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: to quickly move away from something that is shocking, frightening, or disgusting : to react to something with shock or fear
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of a gun : to move back suddenly when fired
recoil
playDefinition of recoil for English Language Learners
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: the sudden backward movement of a gun that happens when the gun is fired
RECOIL Defined for Kids
Definition of recoil for Students
recoiled
;recoiling
1 : to draw back He recoiled in horror.
2 : to spring back to or as if to a starting position The rifle recoiled upon firing.
Definition of recoil for Students
: a sudden backward movement or springing back (as of a gun just fired)
Learn More about recoil
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for recoil Spanish Central: Translation of recoil Nglish: Translation of recoil for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of recoil for Arabic speakers
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