recoilverb [ I ]
uk/rɪˈkɔɪl/us/rɪˈkɔɪl/to move back because of fear or disgust (= dislike or disapproval):
He leaned forward to kiss her and she recoiled in horror.
I recoiled from the smell and the filth.
to refuse to accept an idea or principle, feeling strong dislike or disapproval:
She wondered how it would be to touch him and recoiled at the thought.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Making short, sudden movements
- aquiver
- convulse
- convulsion
- convulsive
- cringe
- flick
- jerky
- jig
- jiggle
- jolt
- judder
- palpitate
- pull away
- quiver
- shivery
- shrink
- tremulous
- whip
- worry at sth
- wriggle
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Reacting and responding
recoilnoun [ U ]
uk/ˈriː.kɔɪl/us/ˈriː.kɔɪl/the sudden backward movement that a gun makes when it is fired
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Guns
- cannon
- cannonade
- cannonball
- charge
- cock
- crossfire
- fire sth off
- go off
- gunsmith
- kick
- machine gun
- ordnance
- point-blank
- potshot
- shoot
- shooting gallery
- shot
- sniper
- snub-nosed
- Taser
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