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
This is typical of Hacks, a series that constantly positions itself to do something emotionally dangerous before recoiling toward a safer version of it.
—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Coinbase’s effort, filled with little nuances and created to emulate the experience of a videogame, might have people welcoming another look rather than recoiling at seeing the spot for the 15th time in a period of just a few days.
—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
12 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
His most intense fans may revel in his displays of dominance, but his least attached supporters—the ones who turned him from a loser in 2020 to a winner in 2024—are recoiling.
—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
12 Jan. 2026
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
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
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Coinbase’s effort, filled with little nuances and created to emulate the experience of a videogame, might have people welcoming another look rather than recoiling at seeing the spot for the 15th time in a period of just a few days.
—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
12 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
His most intense fans may revel in his displays of dominance, but his least attached supporters—the ones who turned him from a loser in 2020 to a winner in 2024—are recoiling.
—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
12 Jan. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recoiling
Verb
-
Cole agreed, but did do some flinching.
-
Without flinching, the two plunged into the waves to rescue the woman.
Verb
-
Otherwise, Makar will be wincing through pain trying to explain the unfathomable, Blackwood will be dropping F-bombs in disbelief and MacKinnon will be ducking reporters despite being the team’s best player.
-
Throughout training this week, Bombito was seen wincing when taking tight turns and limping at times following drills.
Cite this Entry
“Recoiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recoiling. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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