What does recoil mean?
Recoil means to pull back or move away suddenly, especially because of fear, surprise, disgust, or another strong reaction. A person may recoil from a frightening sight, recoil in horror at an unpleasant discovery, or recoil from an idea because it seems objectionable. The word also has a mechanical sense: a gun or other device recoils when it moves backward after firing or operating. As a noun, recoil can describe either the bodily reaction itself or the backward movement caused by a physical force. The expression generally suggests a rapid, involuntary or instinctive response rather than a deliberate retreat. It can also carry the broader sense of an adverse reaction or backlash, as in political recoil after a controversial decision. In all its uses, the central idea is movement or reaction directed backward, away from something perceived as threatening, painful, or unwelcome.
To move back suddenly in response to fear, surprise, disgust, or an unpleasant stimulus; to spring backward; or to withdraw from an idea or situation.
"He recoiled from the thought of entering the dark room."
Often used intransitively. The preposition from is common with the psychological sense: recoil from something.
A sudden backward movement or reaction caused by fear, shock, or an external force; the backward movement of a weapon or mechanism; or a broader adverse response.
"The crowd's initial recoil gave way to enthusiastic applause."
The mechanical sense is common in discussions of firearms and machinery, while the figurative sense is used for social or political reactions.
Used when referring to separate backward movements, reactions, or instances of mechanical recoil.
"The experiment recorded several small recoils when the samples were struck."
From a physical flinch to the backward kick of a fired gun, recoil captures the sudden force of a reaction moving in the opposite direction.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does recoil come from?
The word comes through French recul from Latin recurrere, formed from re- and currere, meaning to run back. The sense of moving backward developed before the word came to mean shrinking away in fear or disgust. Its cognate relatives recur and recurrence preserve the related idea of returning or happening again.
Related word forms
How recoil is actually used
As a verb, recoil is usually intransitive and commonly takes the preposition from when it means to withdraw psychologically: recoil from violence. As a noun, it can refer to a physical reaction or to a broad adverse response.
Easily confused with recoil
The verb describes a backward movement or reaction, whereas the noun can refer to that reaction itself or to the backward movement of a weapon or other mechanism.