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.

But he proves a skilled physical comic, tussling with his boots or recoiling from a kick in the shins from Lucky.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 29, 2025

We’ll see if voters can reward this one while recoiling.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 16, 2025

De Guzman, who also curated an art show called “Roots of Cool” about trees, noted that Los Angeles seems to actually shrink during the hotter months, as if recoiling from the sun.

From Slate • Jul. 23, 2025

So rather than staying in the cycle of having a knee-jerk negative reaction each time I scrolled past a new lurid selfie and then feeling guilty for recoiling, I unfollowed her.

From Salon • May 7, 2024

“She means to show that she likes you,” Penelope started to explain, but Lady Constance was already recoiling toward the door.

From "The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book I: The Mysterious Howling" by Maryrose Wood