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recoil

[ri-koil, ree-koil, ri-koil] / rɪˈkɔɪl, ˈriˌkɔɪl, rɪˈkɔɪl /


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.

See Examples For:

Simplifying the steering system was an important part of achieving that size while retaining propulsion based on photon recoil.

From Science Daily Aug. 18, 2026

He smiled after I busted him for looking, which made me recoil in horror and quickly dart over to hide in the pet food aisle.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 24, 2026

Rob Jonas, Luminate’s CEO, suggested that this uptick might be part of a larger societal recoil against AI’s creep into every aspect of society, including the arrival of AI music.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 3, 2026

Even in a deeply polarized time, many Americans remain wired to recoil from acts of violence and to feel sympathy for their victims.

From Slate Apr. 26, 2026

Harry felt Ron recoil slightly next to him — Ron hated spiders.

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling

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

He practices a politics of inspiration, and the Surge recoils at politicians who try to inspire us.

From Slate Apr. 5, 2025

Viewers raved over Beharie's work in "White Noise," which is certainly excellent, especially in the scene where she simply recoils, wordless, as she takes in the vile digs anonymous commenters get in at her expense.

From Salon Sep. 24, 2023

Then, he recoils in disgust, a flyout that could have helped the Cubs reach the World Series infamously bouncing off the arms of Steve Bartman instead.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 24, 2023

Jillian recoils as if my tone was a slap.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

I’ve always recoiled at having dinner on a first date.

From The Wall Street Journal May 23, 2026

As an unknown theater actor, Reiner recoiled when strangers pegged him merely as “Carl Reiner’s son.”

From Los Angeles Times Dec. 15, 2025

By that point, Layan had forgotten her completely, Omama says, and recoiled when they met.

From BBC Sep. 10, 2025

He recoiled from me, and I couldn’t blame him; he had no idea where he was or who I was.

From Slate Sep. 4, 2025

It was natural that their minds leaped on and recoiled, and they would not speak of that, but their minds said, There can’t be any world without Samuel.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

He said: "I said what I said back in February, I am not recoiling from that."

From BBC May 10, 2026

Economic uncertainty has tempered demand among even the wealthiest clients who had lifted sales for years, while aspirational shoppers are recoiling from persistent price increases.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 18, 2026

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

Her shoulders sagged, and she turned her head back, as though recoiling from an insult.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan




Vocabulary lists containing recoil


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