recoil

5 definitions • 4 examples

to move back because of fear or disgust (= dislike or disapproval):

He leaned forward to kiss her and she recoiled in horror.

I recoiled from the smell and the filth.

to refuse to accept an idea or principle, feeling strong dislike or disapproval:

She wondered how it would be to touch him and recoiled at the thought.

the sudden backward movement that a gun makes when it is fired

to make a sudden movement away from something esp. because of fear or disgust:

fig. Sun-worshipers might recoil in horror at the chilling winds and rough seas, but we loved the place.

the sudden, backward movement that a gun makes when it is fired