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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in revulsion
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Such interactions between black holes or neutron stars (compact remnants of exploded massive stars) can be studied through the deflection angle, the energy released through the near miss and the momentum of the objects’ recoil—all of which may be discerned in gravitational waves.
—Ramin Skibba, Scientific American, 13 May 2025
Siddhartha Mukherjee, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Financial markets recoiled, and Mr. Trump paused most, but not all, of his tariffs.
—Daisuke Wakabayashi, New York Times, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for recoil
Verb
Perhaps the most controversial change coming this wipe is the new recoil system.
—Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Such interactions between black holes or neutron stars (compact remnants of exploded massive stars) can be studied through the deflection angle, the energy released through the near miss and the momentum of the objects’ recoil—all of which may be discerned in gravitational waves.
—Ramin Skibba, Scientific American, 13 May 2025
Noun
In a fragmented health-care system like that of the United States, such studies are also commercially treacherous: investors recoil from timelines this long and outcomes this uncertain.
—Siddhartha Mukherjee, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Financial markets recoiled, and Mr. Trump paused most, but not all, of his tariffs.
—Daisuke Wakabayashi, New York Times, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for recoil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recoil
Verb
-
Judge Subramanian didn’t flinch, siding with the government.—
Danielle Bacher,
People.com,
3 July 2025
-
When the conversation turned to the metaphorical messes — like heartbreak — the 54-year-old didn’t flinch.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
And the teenage provocateur made no secret of that revulsion, loudly belittling his fellow students.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 July 2025
-
People celebrating this holiday weekend may have different ideas about what sparked the American Revolution: a yearning for liberty; a revulsion at taxation without representation; or a desire to have a national sport where players can touch the ball with their hands.—
Scott Simon,
NPR,
5 July 2025
Verb
-
As the prosecutor described the fatal injuries her daughter faced, Scarbrough bowed her head and winced.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
3 July 2025
-
Dakota Johnson is more charming than usual here but moves like someone whose feet have never touched the ground, who has never winced looking at a bill.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Recoil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recoil. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share