# recoil

/ɹiˈkɔɪɫ/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/recoil
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

to move back suddenly because you are scared, shocked, or hurt. You might also do this if you see something very gross or unpleasant.

For teachers: to spring back or flinch involuntarily in fear, horror, or disgust. Also describes the sudden backward movement of a firearm upon discharge.

## Examples

- She felt herself recoil when she saw the spider.
- Most people recoil at the sight of the bloody injury, but the experienced nurse remained perfectly calm.
- The public began to recoil from the candidate's increasingly aggressive rhetoric, leading to a sharp decline in his polling numbers just weeks before the general election.

## Usage notes

- The verb is intransitive and often takes the preposition 'from' or 'at'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.