What does "recoil" mean?

A starting or falling back; a rebound; a shrinking.

What is a synonym for "recoil"?

Common synonyms include: backfire, bounce, flinch, kick, kick, kick back.

//ɹɪˈkɔɪl// noun, verb

noun, verb ·Common ·High school level

Noun

1
A starting or falling back; a rebound; a shrinking. countable, uncountable
"the recoil of nature, or of the blood"
2
a movement back from an impact wordnet
3
The state or condition of having recoiled. countable, uncountable
"The recoil from formalism is skepticism."
4
the backward jerk of a gun when it is fired wordnet
5
The energy transmitted back to the shooter from a firearm which has fired. Recoil is a function of the weight of the weapon, the weight of the projectile, and the speed at which it leaves the muzzle. countable, uncountable

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6
An escapement in which, after each beat, the scape-wheel recoils slightly. countable, uncountable

Verb

1
To pull back, especially in disgust, horror or astonishment. intransitive
"He recoiled in disgust when he saw the mess."
2
spring back, as from a forceful thrust wordnet
3
To recoil before an opponent. archaic, intransitive
"that rude rout […] forced them, how ever strong and stout / They were, as well approv'd in many a doubt, / Backe to recule […]"
4
spring back; spring away from an impact wordnet
5
Of a firearm: to quickly push back when fired. intransitive

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6
draw back, as with fear or pain wordnet
7
To retire, withdraw. intransitive, obsolete
"Ye both forwearied be: therefore a whyle / Iread you rest, and to your bowres recoyle."
8
come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect wordnet