recoil - Definition & Meaning | Lingo Dictionary

re

coil

to suddenly move back in response to something surprising, frightening, or unpleasantto suddenly move back in response to something surprising, frightening, or unpleasant

Examples

Synonyms

squinch flinch jump recoil cringe wince funk quail start shrink

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to recoil

Third Person

recoils

Present Participle

recoiling

Past Tense

recoiled

Past Participle

recoiled

1

to suddenly move back in response to something surprising, frightening, or unpleasant

As the dentist approached with the needle, she recoiled.
When the ghostly figure appeared in the doorway, he recoiled in horror.
Carlos recoiled a little at the sharpness in my voice, feeling taken aback.
She recoiled from his touch, feeling a sudden rush of unease.
The sudden loud noise made everyone in the room recoil in surprise.

Synonyms:

squinch flinch jump cringe wince funk quail start shrink

2

spring back, as from a forceful thrust

Synonyms:

3

spring back; spring away from an impact

Synonyms:

bounce resile bound reverberate rebound take a hop spring ricochet

4

come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect

Synonyms:

backlash backfire