draw back
Recoil from something
To draw back is to retreat or recoil, either physically or figuratively.
Someone draws back from a handshake, from a commitment, or from a risky investment.
The motion suggests hesitation or reconsideration—pulling away from something you were approaching or had engaged with: She drew back when she saw the price tag.
Involuntary retreat from threat
- winceReflexive recoil from distress
- shrinkDecrease in size
- cringeShrink from discomfort
- jerkAbrupt pulling motion
startle · shudder · blench · recoil · pull away · kickback · jolt · twitch
Temporary cessation of activity
- waverHesitate or fluctuate
- hesitatePause in uncertainty
- vacillateWaver between choices
- falterLose momentum or steadiness
balk · demur · reluctance · uncertainty · indecision · doubt · second thoughts · qualm
Cease employment permanently
- recedeMove back from
- disengageBreak free from attachment
- repositionMove to new location
- evacuateLeave due to danger
flee · escape · depart · retrograde · give ground · yield · cede · relinquish
Reveal something hidden
pull aside · uncover · expose · drape · fabric · theatrical · dramatic · disclosure
flinch
Involuntary retreat from threat
jerk · startle · shudder · blench · recoil · pull away · kickback · jolt · twitch · spasm
pause
Temporary cessation of activity
falter · balk · demur · reluctance · uncertainty · indecision · doubt · second thoughts · qualm · reservation
retire
Cease employment permanently
- recedeMove back from
- disengageBreak free from attachment
- repositionMove to new location
evacuate · flee · escape · depart · retrograde · give ground · yield · cede · relinquish · tactical
unveil
Reveal something hidden
slide · pull aside · uncover · expose · drape · fabric · theatrical · dramatic · disclosure · unfurl
- retreatretreating, backing up, backing away, backing off, pullback
- reversalsreverse, undo, revert, overturn, flip
- flinchingflinch, flinching, wince, wincing, recoil
- defensedefense, defending, protecting, protection, security
- scaling downscale down, ramp down, pare down, trim down, whittle down
draw backadvance
Move or progress forward
move forward · approach · come closer · step forward · press forward