quail

verb

Definition of quailnext
1
as in to recoil
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust we quailed when the waiter unexpectedly presented us with a hindquarter of frog's legs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to cringe
to draw back or crouch down in fearful submission brave resisters who did not quail before the tyrant's iron hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word quail distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of quail are blench, flinch, recoil, shrink, and wince. While all these words mean "to draw back in fear or distaste," quail suggests shrinking and cowering in fear.

quailed before the apparition

When is it sensible to use blench instead of quail?

Although the words blench and quail have much in common, blench implies fainthearted flinching.

stood their ground without blenching

Where would flinch be a reasonable alternative to quail?

The meanings of flinch and quail largely overlap; however, flinch implies a failure to endure pain or face something dangerous or frightening with resolution.

faced her accusers without flinching

When would recoil be a good substitute for quail?

The synonyms recoil and quail are sometimes interchangeable, but recoil implies a start or movement away through shock, fear, or disgust.

recoiled at the suggestion of stealing

When could shrink be used to replace quail?

In some situations, the words shrink and quail are roughly equivalent. However, shrink suggests an instinctive recoil through sensitiveness, scrupulousness, or cowardice.

shrank from the unpleasant truth

When can wince be used instead of quail?

The words wince and quail can be used in similar contexts, but wince suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction (such as a start or recoiling).

winced in pain

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for quail
  1. recoil
  2. cringe
  3. flinch
  4. wince
Verb
  • Americans are recoiling from the Democratic Party, and even in blue states like Colorado, Democrats are feeling the burn.
    — The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025
  • At least one study has found, for example, that younger children will not recoil from rancid odors that provoke disgust in older children and adults, which suggests that these responses might be learned.
    — Franklin Schneider, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of recoil
Verb
  • While some may cringe at the idea of carving pumpkins and hanging twinkling lights on the same day, starting your shopping early could be the secret to enjoying the holiday season more this year.
    — Sarah Scott, Parents, 16 Sep. 2025
  • It's not cringe to care about something and try!
    — Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of cringe
Verb
  • Your stronger body will give you the confidence that comes from moving without flinching.
    — Dana Santas, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
  • These images of an expanding Kong appeared on the screen and the actors on stage in front of it flinched in horror as the dwarfing image of Kong’s bigness loomed menacingly behind them.
    — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of flinch
Verb
  • That’s our job, to bring up the uncomfortable and talk about the topics people wince at.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Immediately, Moore was on the ground and wincing in pain.
    — James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of wince
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.

Browse Nearby Words

quai
quail
quailed
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“Quail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quail. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on quail

Nglish: Translation of quail for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about quail

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