recoil
verb (used without object)
to draw back; start or shrink back, as in alarm, horror, or disgust.
recoils
-
present tense formof recoil (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
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.
Having fashioned a creature from dead body parts, the scientist recoils from the result, which appears to him to be a monster of “unparalleled barbarity,” and abandons his construction.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 16, 2026
When Maggie makes an ambiguous reference to Alma’s history, her professor recoils.
From Salon ● Sep. 25, 2025
He practices a politics of inspiration, and the Surge recoils at politicians who try to inspire us.
From Slate ● Apr. 5, 2025
You see Oppenheimer recoil, even if what he recoils from is left pointedly out of frame.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2023
But even now she recoils at the thought of living with her own in-laws.
From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins
