recoil

[ verb ri-koil; noun ree-koil, ri-koil ]

verb (used without object)

1. to draw back; start or shrink back, as in alarm, horror, or disgust.

   Synonyms: falter, flinch, quail, withdraw

2. to spring or fly back, as in consequence of force of impact or the force of the discharge, as a firearm.

   Synonyms: rebound

3. to spring or come back; react (usually followed by on or upon ):

   Plots frequently recoil upon the plotters.

4. Physics. (of an atom, a nucleus, or a particle) to undergo a change in momentum as a result either of a collision with an atom, a nucleus, or a particle or of the emission of a particle.

noun

1. an act of recoiling.
2. the distance through which a weapon moves backward after discharging.

recoil

verb

1. to jerk back, as from an impact or violent thrust
2. often foll by from to draw back in fear, horror, or disgust

   to recoil from the sight of blood

3. foll byon or upon to go wrong, esp so as to hurt the perpetrator
4. (of a nucleus, atom, molecule, or elementary particle) to change momentum as a result of the emission of a photon or particle

noun

1. 1. the backward movement of a gun when fired
   2. the distance moved
2. the motion acquired by a particle as a result of its emission of a photon or other particle
3. the act of recoiling

Derived Forms

• reˈcoiler, noun

Other Words From

• re·coiling·ly adverb
• non·recoil noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of recoil¹

1175–1225; Middle English recoilen, reculen (v.) < Old French reculer, equivalent to re- re- + -culer, verbal derivative of cul rump, buttocks; culet

Word History and Origins

Origin of recoil¹

C13: from Old French reculer , from re- + cul rump, from Latin cūlus

Synonym Study

See wince ¹.

Example Sentences

Readers will understandably recoil at the musician’s callousness, especially given Mintz’s sublimation of himself in the service of Lennon and Ono.

From Salon

Some might recoil at strengthening ties with Saudi Arabia but the European tour has never had a problem with doing deals with the Kingdom, despite its controversial reputation on human rights.

From BBC

I can’t help but recoil at every single part of that, especially following last week’s ProPublica reporting on the deaths of two women in Georgia who died as a direct result of the Dobbs decision.

From Slate

The New York Times reports that Roberts’ colleagues Kavanaugh and Gorsuch piled on the flattery upon seeing his draft, lauding it as “exceptional” and “remarkable,” and it is plausible that all three men actually believed the nation would celebrate their decision rather than recoil with horror.

From Slate

Just as the movement behind the initiative operates all the way from the halls of power in Washington to county clerks’ offices and local school boards, so must those who recoil from its vision for America.

From Slate

Related Words

• backfire
• balk
• blanch
• blink
• cringe
• demur
• flinch
• hesitate
• reel
• shudder
• tremble
• turn away
• waver
• wince