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   recoil

   /rɪˈkɔɪl/

   verb

   • 1. suddenly spring or flinch back in fear, horror, or disgust: "he recoiled in horror" Similar draw backjump backspring backjerk backpull backflinchshy awayshrink (back)blenchstartwincecowerquail
   • ▪ feel fear, horror, or disgust at the thought of something: "Ronni felt herself recoil at the very thought" Similar feel revulsion atfeel disgust atfeel abhorrence atbe unable to bearbe unable to stomachshrink fromshy away frombalk athesitate at
   • 2. rebound or spring back through force of impact or elasticity: "the muscle has the ability to recoil"
   • ▪ (of a gun) move abruptly backwards as a reaction on firing a bullet, shell, or other missile: "the rifle recoiled" Similar kick (back)jerk backspring backfly backjump back
   • ▪ (of an action) have an adverse reactive effect on (the originator): "if man upsets his planetary ecosystem it will automatically recoil upon him" Similar rebound oncome back onaffect badlymisfirebackfireboomeranggo wrongfail to work outbe unsuccessfulgo amisscome to griefmeet with disasterarchaic:redound on

   noun

   • 1. the action of recoiling: "his body jerked with the recoil of the rifle"

   Word Origin Middle English (denoting the act of retreating): from Old French reculer ‘move back’, based on Latin culus ‘buttocks’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. recoilless adjective

   Scrabble Points: 8

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

   • C

     3

   • O

     1

   • I

     1

   • L

     1

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   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › recoilRecoil Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › recoil

   • Cached

   recoil implies a start or movement away through shock, fear, or disgust. recoiled at the suggestion of stealing. shrink suggests an instinctive recoil through sensitiveness, scrupulousness, or cowardice. shrank from the unpleasant truth.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishRECOIL | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   RECOIL definition: 1. to move back because of fear or disgust (= dislike or disapproval): 2. to refuse to accept an…. Learn more.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › recoilRECOIL Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › recoil

   • Cached

   to draw back; start or shrink back, as in alarm, horror, or disgust. to spring or fly back, as in consequence of force of impact or the force of the discharge, as a firearm. Plots frequently recoil upon the plotters.

5. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › recoilRecoil - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › recoil

   A recoil is a movement backwards, usually from some force or impact. The recoil of a gun is a backward movement caused by momentum. Your trip to the shooting range might make your mom recoil — from horror, not momentum.

6. www.thefreedictionary.com › recoilRecoil - definition of recoil by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › recoil

   • Cached

   1. to start or shrink back, as in alarm, horror, or disgust. 2. to spring or fly back, as in consequence of force of impact or of a discharge of ammunition: The rifle recoiled with a powerful slam. 3. to spring or come back; rebound (usu. fol. by on or upon ): plots recoiling upon the plotters.