recoil

The sudden backward push of a gun when it is fired.

• The gun's recoil hurt my shoulder.
• This rifle has very little recoil.
• She held the weapon firmly to control the recoil.

Similar words: kick, kickback

Common phrases: rifle recoil, heavy recoil, absorb the recoil

A sudden movement backward, often after being pushed, stretched, or frightened.

• The spring's recoil shook the frame.
• Her sudden recoil showed how frightened she was.
• The elastic recoil of lung tissue helps push air out.

Similar words: rebound, withdrawal

Common phrases: elastic recoil, sudden recoil, recoil of something

To move back suddenly because something frightens, shocks, or disgusts you.

• She recoiled when he touched her.
• I recoiled from the terrible smell.
• The children recoiled in horror as the spider moved.

How to use it: recoil from someone/something (She recoiled from the dead mouse.); recoil in horror/disgust (He recoiled in horror at the photograph.)

Similar words: shrink back, flinch, draw back

Common phrases: recoil from something, recoil in horror, recoil in disgust

If a gun does this, it moves backward suddenly when fired.

• The gun recoiled sharply.
• The rifle recoils each time you fire it.
• Her pistol recoiled and she lowered it carefully.

Similar words: kick back

Common phrases: rifle recoil sharply, gun recoil violently, recoil when fired