recoil

[ri-koil, 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 orupon ).

   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. 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

Other Word Forms

• recoiler noun
• recoilingly adverb
• nonrecoil 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

I recoiled when the Wizard’s disembodied head loomed above.

From Los Angeles Times

Surely some people will recoil at my likening Meghan’s efforts to those of Queen Martha, doyenne of gracious living and doing everything yourself.

From Salon

Butts bounce with a youthful recoil while tight close-ups capture hands with hot pink painted fingernails slapping against taut thighs.

From Salon

Arriving here shortly after stealing first place, little brother spent the next three days giving it back to a Dodger team that met the moment while the Padres recoiled from it.

From Los Angeles Times

When the Chargers celebrated the Dodgers’ World Series title last year, die-hard Padres fan Jefferson recoiled at the sight of a floor-to-ceiling congratulatory message in the Chargers practice facility.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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