recoil

1 of 2

verb

re·​coil ri-ˈkȯi(-ə)l How to pronounce recoil (audio)
recoiled; recoiling; recoils
Synonyms of recoilnext

intransitive verb

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

recoil

2 of 2

noun

re·​coil ˈrē-ˌkȯi(-ə)l How to pronounce recoil (audio)
ri-ˈkȯi(-ə)l
1
: the act or action of recoiling
especially : the kickback of a gun upon firing
2
: reaction
the recoil from the rigors of Calvinism—Edmund Wilson

Synonyms

Verb

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for recoil

recoil, shrink, flinch, wince, blench, quail 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

shrink suggests an instinctive recoil through sensitiveness, scrupulousness, or cowardice.

shrank from the unpleasant truth

flinch implies a failure to endure pain or face something dangerous or frightening with resolution.

faced her accusers without flinching

wince suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction (such as a start or recoiling).

winced in pain

blench implies fainthearted flinching.

stood their ground without blenching

quail suggests shrinking and cowering in fear.

quailed before the apparition

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
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.
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 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English reculen, recoilen, from Anglo-French reculer, recuiler, from re- + cul backside — more at culet

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of recoil was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing recoil

Dictionary Entries Near recoil

recognosce

recoil

recoil click

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Recoil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recoil. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

recoil

1 of 2 verb
re·​coil ri-ˈkȯi(ə)l How to pronounce recoil (audio)
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 How to pronounce recoil (audio)
ri-ˈkȯi(ə)l
1
: the act or action of recoiling
2
: the distance through which something (as a spring) recoils

More from Merriam-Webster on recoil

Nglish: Translation of recoil for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of recoil for Arabic Speakers

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