recoil 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈkȯi(-ə)l How to pronounce recoil (audio)
Definition of recoilnext
as in to flinch
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust the social worker tried not to recoil from the sight of the cockroach in the bathtub

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

recoil

2 of 2

noun

as in revulsion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word recoil distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of recoil are blench, flinch, quail, shrink, and wince. While all these words 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

When could blench be used to replace recoil?

The words blench and recoil can be used in similar contexts, but blench implies fainthearted flinching.

stood their ground without blenching

When is flinch a more appropriate choice than recoil?

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

faced her accusers without flinching

When might quail be a better fit than recoil?

While the synonyms quail and recoil are close in meaning, quail suggests shrinking and cowering in fear.

quailed before the apparition

When can shrink be used instead of recoil?

While in some cases nearly identical to recoil, shrink suggests an instinctive recoil through sensitiveness, scrupulousness, or cowardice.

shrank from the unpleasant truth

When would wince be a good substitute for recoil?

The words wince and recoil are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wince suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction (such as a start or recoiling).

winced in pain

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of recoil
Verb
When others recoiled in disgust from sick and suffering people, the Buddha cared for them, showing that healing and dignity come from love. —Rabbi Dana Magat, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025 Clay, still reeling from Kaya’s infidelity, recoils at this request. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
Western governments and much of the world recoil at the idea of a jihadist Syria. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024 This recoil was detected by watching for a change in how light scattered off the silica, which allowed the physicists to identify the exact moment a nucleus decayed. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for recoil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recoil
  1. flinch
  2. revulsion
  3. wince
Verb
  • When confronted with this new, harsh reality, our state didn’t flinch.
    — Wes Moore, Baltimore Sun, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Yes, there will be some wins, at least from an optics perspective, but especially with China neither Trump nor Xi wants to be the first to flinch.
    — Chuck Jones, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of flinch
Noun
  • Donald Trump is nothing if not consistent in his revulsion toward low-flow plumbing fixtures.
    — The Editors, National Review, 11 Apr. 2025
  • When Joe Biden nominated Xavier Becerra to serve as the secretary of health and human services, Republicans responded with revulsion because of his far-left record, but also with some degree of confusion.
    — John Gerardi, National Review, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of revulsion
Verb
  • Some of the players around the vice president winced.
    — Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Its owner Lorenzo Porro winced when the conversation turned to a looming trade war.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of wince

Browse Nearby Words

recognizing
recoil
recoiled
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Cite this Entry

“Recoil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recoil. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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