re·coil
ri-ˈkȯi(-ə)l 
recoiled; recoiling; recoils
1
a
: to fall back under pressure
b
: to shrink back physically or emotionally
2
: to spring back to or as if to a starting point : rebound
3
obsolete
: degenerate
re·coil
ˈrē-ˌkȯi(-ə)l
ri-ˈkȯi(-ə)l
Synonyms
Examples of recoil in a Sentence
Verb
We recoiled in horror at the sight of his wounded arm.
He recoiled from her touch.
The rifle recoiled and bruised my shoulder.
Noun
The gun has a sharp recoil.
Recent Examples on the Web
Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024
There’s effort in the delivery, with some head-snap and recoil at release, and the high three-quarters slot is deceptive but not ideal for long-term durability.
—Keith Law, The Athletic, 15 July 2024
David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 12 Nov. 2024
Here are key points about bump stocks: Functionality: Bump stocks harness the recoil energy produced when the gun is fired, using it to move the firearm back and forth in the stock.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for recoil 
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Verb
Teaching humans not to recoil from the rodents, which Webb says have unfairly attracted a bad rap.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024
There’s effort in the delivery, with some head-snap and recoil at release, and the high three-quarters slot is deceptive but not ideal for long-term durability.
—Keith Law, The Athletic, 15 July 2024
Noun
Graves aimed the gun at his uncle's legs, but the weapon was modified to be fully automatic and the recoil of the weapon led to him shooting his uncle in the abdomen.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 12 Nov. 2024
Here are key points about bump stocks: Functionality: Bump stocks harness the recoil energy produced when the gun is fired, using it to move the firearm back and forth in the stock.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for recoil
Dictionary Entries Near recoil
Cite this Entry
“Recoil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recoil. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
recoil
1 of 2 verb
re·coil
ri-ˈkȯi(ə)l
1
a
: to fall back under pressure : retreat
b
: to shrink back
recoil in horror
2
: to spring back to or as if to a starting point
the compressed spring recoiled upon release
the big gun recoiled upon firing
recoil
2 of 2 noun
re·coil
ˈrē-ˌkȯil
ri-ˈkȯi(ə)l
1
: the act or action of recoiling
2
: the distance through which something (as a spring) recoils
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