Synonyms of recoil

recoil 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈkȯi(-ə)l 

as in to flinch

to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust

the social worker tried not to recoil from the sight of the cockroach in the bathtub

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flinch
• wince
• cringe
• shudder
• hesitate
• shrink
• tremble
• blench
• quail
• shake
• quiver
• quake
• squinch
• pale
• crouch
• retreat
• blanch
• withdraw
• whiten
• twitch
• jerk
• falter
• recede
• reel
• waver
• retire
• start

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approach
• advance
• face
• confront
• challenge
• near
• beard
• defy

recoil

2 of 2

noun

as in revulsion

Related Words

• revulsion
• flinch
• shrinking
• disengagement
• withdrawal
• rout
• retirement
• retreat
• pullout
• recession
• pullback
• disentanglement

Dissimilar Words

• advance
• advancement

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

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

Recent Examples of recoil

Verb

In a flash, the Avs veteran flew right into a sprawling, helpless Ingram, who recoiled at the contact. —Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026

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

Noun

After the first shot, recoil would drive the slide back and automatically recock the hammer. —Simon Akam, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026

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