recoil
2 ENTRIES FOUND:
recoils;
recoiled;
recoiling
recoils;
recoiled;
recoiling
Britannica Dictionary definition of RECOIL
[no object]
1
:
to quickly move away from something that is shocking, frightening, or disgusting
:
to react to something with shock or fear
— often used figuratively
-
We recoiled in horror at the sight of his wounded arm.
-
He recoiled from her touch.
-
We recoiled at the prospect of having to spend that much money to fix the car.
2
of a gun
:
to move back suddenly when fired
-
The rifle recoiled and bruised my shoulder.
Britannica Dictionary definition of RECOIL
[singular]
:
the sudden backward movement of a gun that happens when the gun is fired
-
The gun has a sharp recoil.
