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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in revulsion
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of recoil
Janis Carr, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
His most intense fans may revel in his displays of dominance, but his least attached supporters—the ones who turned him from a loser in 2020 to a winner in 2024—are recoiling.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 12 Jan. 2026
Jason Fanelli, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
And, every time, opponents recoil in horror—not at the ethics violation, but at the idea that members may have to pay taxes if they are forced to sell their holdings.
—Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recoil
Verb
The Lakers rank 26th in overall defensive rating and 25th in defending 3-point attempts and when other teams start shooting, Smart said the Lakers’ offense tends to recoil.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
His most intense fans may revel in his displays of dominance, but his least attached supporters—the ones who turned him from a loser in 2020 to a winner in 2024—are recoiling.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
This isn’t just adding parts to guns to increase damage or lessen recoil either; there’s room for some really funky experiments provided the right items are found.
—Jason Fanelli, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
And, every time, opponents recoil in horror—not at the ethics violation, but at the idea that members may have to pay taxes if they are forced to sell their holdings.
—Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recoil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recoil
Verb
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But as his show became a pop culture punchline and an enduring ratings force, Povich says the person closest to him never flinched.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
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Adi flinched but passed it to him.—
Jonathan Miles,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Manscaped’s ‘Hair Ballad’ Several ads trafficked in revulsion as an attention-getter, none more so than this one for a body shaver featuring various clumps of removed body hair singing with their little hairy mouths.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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These critiques were made during a time of growing revulsion against slum clearance and heavy-handed urban-renewal attempts; the reentry of the creative classes to city centers was only beginning to gain notice.—
Idrees Kahloon,
The Atlantic,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The issue became apparent at 4-4 in the third set, when Alcaraz winced after stretching for a volley and a match that had appeared a foregone conclusion spun on its axis.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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The hard-drinking, hyper-sensitive Fitzgerald himself would have winced at any of the five adaptations of The Great Gatsby.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Recoil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recoil. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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