recoil
verb (used without object)
to draw back; start or shrink back, as in alarm, horror, or disgust.
recoiled
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past participleof recoil.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof recoil.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
recoilverb (used without object)to draw back; start or shrink back, as in alarm, horror, or disgust.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I’ve always recoiled at having dinner on a first date.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 23, 2026
Washington, by contrast, recoiled at the very notion of monarchy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 27, 2026
The manager turned off the vacuum, recoiled hoses and exhaled with relief.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 23, 2025
By that point, Layan had forgotten her completely, Omama says, and recoiled when they met.
From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2025
I recoiled almost instantly at her tone more than her words.
From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken
