recoil 1 of 2

recoil

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word recoil distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of recoil are blench, flinch, quail, shrink, and wince. While all these words 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

When could blench be used to replace recoil?

The words blench and recoil can be used in similar contexts, but blench implies fainthearted flinching.

stood their ground without blenching

When is flinch a more appropriate choice than recoil?

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

faced her accusers without flinching

When might quail be a better fit than recoil?

While the synonyms quail and recoil are close in meaning, quail suggests shrinking and cowering in fear.

quailed before the apparition

When can shrink be used instead of recoil?

While in some cases nearly identical to recoil, shrink suggests an instinctive recoil through sensitiveness, scrupulousness, or cowardice.

shrank from the unpleasant truth

When would wince be a good substitute for recoil?

The words wince and recoil are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wince suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction (such as a start or recoiling).

winced in pain

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of recoil
Verb
When cosmic rays — including, in part, plain old protons from the Sun’s solar wind — strike the Moon, the recoil from those heavy elements knocks them into an excited state. Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 4 Sep. 2025 Lighter dark matter particles wouldn't have the heft to cause a nucleus of xenon or argon to recoil. Robert Lea, Space.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
Those not chronically online might instinctively recoil at the term brain rot, with its vaguely gory connotations, especially as concern about the potential harms of social media for adolescents mounts. Safiyah Riddle, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025 And the supporters who responded to his complaints about overzealous Democrats aren’t recoiling. Jonathan J. Cooper, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for recoil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recoil
Verb
  • Ross passed the day's examination with flying colors, barely flinching at the rubber chicken.
    Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 3 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
Noun
  • The move follows widespread public revulsion over the attacks in the UK.
    Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Meanwhile, voices on the left responded with revulsion.
    Andrew R. Chow, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In that moment, Dupree involuntarily punches him and the pair go quiet as Dooley cusses and bends over wincing in pain.
    Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Perhaps tearing originally grew out of a physiological reflex that restored moisture to the eyes and nasal passages after they had been dried out by the pressure of wincing or the hyperventilation of arousal.
    Big Think, Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Recoil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recoil. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on recoil

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