recoil
verb (used without object)
to draw back; start or shrink back, as in alarm, horror, or disgust.
was recoiling
-
past progressiveof recoil.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Louie was recoiling when he saw an oar swing past, sending the animal into the ocean.
From The Guardian ● Jan. 16, 2011
While the world was recoiling in shock from the visible inhumanity, Western reaction was more rhetorical than real.
From Time Magazine Archive
Even though he thought she was recoiling from him, he took another couple of steps in her direction.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
The black stream was recoiling, turning upon itself.
From Astounding Stories of Super-Science, May, 1930 by Harry Bates
And now again, as before when she had left him, it was his view of life that was recoiling upon his own head.
From The Real Adventure by Raymond Moreau Crosby
