as in flinching
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust
the social worker tried not to recoil from the sight of the cockroach in the bathtub
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Recent Examples of recoiling
Trump has been riding roughshod over Washington and voters are recoiling.
—
Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2025
Now, at least some signs are emerging that both the broader public and leading liberal voices may be recoiling from the doom and gloom.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
Did that also include Jess endearing himself to Rory before recoiling and ghosting?
—Justin Kirkland, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025
While angioplasties were helpful, one of the main limitations was that the walls of the artery would quickly shrink back – known as recoiling – after the balloon was deflated.
—William Cornwell, The Conversation, 19 Nov. 2025
Bassist Franz Lyons, standing nearby onstage, is seen recoiling and shielding his eyes from the dispersing spray.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 31 Oct. 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
And the supporters who responded to his complaints about overzealous Democrats aren’t recoiling.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
The moment was caught on camera by fans, with Bryan seen slightly recoiling after the hit.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2025
Now, at least some signs are emerging that both the broader public and leading liberal voices may be recoiling from the doom and gloom.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
Did that also include Jess endearing himself to Rory before recoiling and ghosting?
—Justin Kirkland, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025
While angioplasties were helpful, one of the main limitations was that the walls of the artery would quickly shrink back – known as recoiling – after the balloon was deflated.
—William Cornwell, The Conversation, 19 Nov. 2025
Bassist Franz Lyons, standing nearby onstage, is seen recoiling and shielding his eyes from the dispersing spray.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 31 Oct. 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
And the supporters who responded to his complaints about overzealous Democrats aren’t recoiling.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
The moment was caught on camera by fans, with Bryan seen slightly recoiling after the hit.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recoiling
Verb
-
In this Tudor renovation, designer Barrie Benson combined 10 different textiles and prints in a single, orderly viewpoint without flinching.—
Zoe Gowen,
Southern Living,
29 Dec. 2025
-
Human reflexes naturally protect the eyes; blinking, tearing, and flinching are some of the fastest human reflexes.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Wind roared through the open doorway and into the vestibule where I was pressed against the side, wincing at the noise.—
Monisha Rajesh,
Outside,
9 Dec. 2025
-
The actress was shown wincing in pain before being escorted out of the ballroom on a stretcher into an ambulance.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Recoiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recoiling. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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