Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

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.

People do often recoil when they discover a person is wearing smart glasses.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

He follows Britain's Keir Starmer, France's Emmanuel Macron and Canada's Mark Carney, as they recoil from the mercurial policies of Trump, who is also expected to visit from March 31.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

Today’s readers might recoil at the thought of a Scotsman making a pet out of a wild animal caught in southern Iraq.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

The instinct to recoil at the killing of a fellow person, and to feel some vicarious pain as we consider the loss, is part of what makes us human.

From Slate • Jan. 9, 2026

They had to fight the urge to recoil.

From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart




Vocabulary lists containing recoil


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "recoil" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com