recoil — ozdic

Collocations

5

1

(verb.)

ADV

a little, slightly

instinctively

She instinctively recoiled when the dog suddenly lunged toward her.

PREP

at

She recoiled at the sight of the large spider crawling across the bathroom floor.

from

When the dog saw the vacuum cleaner, it recoiled from the loud noise in fear.

in

She recoiled in horror when she saw the spider on her pillow.

Definitions

noun

1

A starting or falling back; a rebound; a shrinking.

the recoil of nature, or of the blood

2

The state or condition of having recoiled.

The recoil from formalism is skepticism.

3

The energy transmitted back to the shooter from a firearm which has fired. Recoil is a function of the weight of the weapon, the weight of the projectile, and the speed at which it leaves the muzzle.

4

An escapement in which, after each beat, the scape-wheel recoils slightly.

verb

1

To pull back, especially in disgust, horror or astonishment.

He recoiled in disgust when he saw the mess.

For decades, humankind steeled itself for the rise of thinking machines. As we marveled at their ability to beat chess champions and predict protein structures, we also recoiled from their inherent uncanniness, not to mention the threats to our sense of humanity.

2

To recoil before an opponent.

that rude rout […] forced them, how ever strong and stout / They were, as well approv'd in many a doubt, / Backe to recule […]

3

Of a firearm: to quickly push back when fired.

4

To retire, withdraw.

Ye both forwearied be: therefore a whyle / Iread you rest, and to your bowres recoyle.

Thus vvhen this Courtly Gentleman vvith toyle / Himſelfe hath vvearied, he doth recoyle / Vnto his reſt, and there vvith ſvveete delight / Of Muſicks skill reuiues his toyled ſpright, […]

Thesaurus

Synonyms

noun — a movement back from an impact

noun — the backward jerk of a gun when it is fired

kick

verb — spring back, as from a forceful thrust

kick

verb — spring back

verb — draw back, as with fear or pain

verb — come back to the originator of an action with an undesired e

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

Example Bank

6

01

the recoil of nature, or of the blood

Wiktionary

02

The recoil from formalism is skepticism.

Wiktionary

03

He recoiled in disgust when he saw the mess.

Wiktionary

04

For decades, humankind steeled itself for the rise of thinking machines. As we marveled at their ability to beat chess champions and predict protein structures, we also recoiled from their inherent un

Wiktionary

05

that rude rout […] forced them, how ever strong and stout / They were, as well approv'd in many a doubt, / Backe to recule […]

Wiktionary

06

Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy.

Tatoeba · #3769276

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, recoil is marked as archaic, obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.