quail

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as in to cringe
to draw back or crouch down in fearful submission brave resisters who did not quail before the tyrant's iron hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word quail distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of quail are blench, flinch, recoil, shrink, and wince. While all these words mean "to draw back in fear or distaste," quail suggests shrinking and cowering in fear.

quailed before the apparition

When is it sensible to use blench instead of quail?

Although the words blench and quail have much in common, blench implies fainthearted flinching.

stood their ground without blenching

Where would flinch be a reasonable alternative to quail?

The meanings of flinch and quail largely overlap; however, flinch implies a failure to endure pain or face something dangerous or frightening with resolution.

faced her accusers without flinching

When would recoil be a good substitute for quail?

The synonyms recoil and quail are sometimes interchangeable, but recoil implies a start or movement away through shock, fear, or disgust.

recoiled at the suggestion of stealing

When could shrink be used to replace quail?

In some situations, the words shrink and quail are roughly equivalent. However, shrink suggests an instinctive recoil through sensitiveness, scrupulousness, or cowardice.

shrank from the unpleasant truth

When can wince be used instead of quail?

The words wince and quail can be used in similar contexts, but wince suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction (such as a start or recoiling).

winced in pain

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for quail
Verb
  • Some recoiled at the launch and others quit their positions.
    Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Americans are recoiling from the Democratic Party, and even in blue states like Colorado, Democrats are feeling the burn.
    The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In 2021, Cookie reminded her church friends to watch the Hulu show based on my book Dopesick, only to cringe at the gay storyline and multiple f‑bombs in the first episode.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Snoop Dogg attempted a bit of the foreign tongue, but Niall Horan was right to cringe at his efforts.
    Andy Swift, TVLine, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Ross passed the day's examination with flying colors – barely flinching at the rubber chicken.
    Laura L. Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Oct. 2025
  • But none of the band members ever flinched over the divide that formed over their pre- and post-Vheissu sound.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Lina winces at the sound of Jaya munching on an apple, made worse by the static on the line.
    Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Russell winced, remembering the backlash.
    Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Quail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quail. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

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