recoil
Shrink back instinctively
Recoil is the backward movement when a gun fires or something springs back: The rifle's recoil bruised her shoulder.
People recoil from things that disgust or frighten them—a physical flinching away: She recoiled at the sight of the wound.
Figuratively, to recoil from something is to shrink from it in distaste: He recoiled from the idea of asking for help.
Actions can recoil on their makers, bouncing back to cause harm: His scheme recoiled on him.
Decrease in size
- winceReflexive recoil from distress
- cringeShrink from discomfort
- cowerShrink back in dread
- shyReserved and retiring
blanch · shudder · quail · balk · start · jerk · twitch · startle
Intense physical aversion
- revulsionIntense physical disgust
- aversionIntense dislike or repugnance
- distasteMild aversion or dislike
- loathingIntense, settled disgust
abhorrence · repugnance · horror · nausea · contempt · detestation · antipathy · squeamishness
Foot-delivered strike
- dischargeRelease of substance outward
- blastSudden forceful burst
- shotQuick liquor serving
- muzzleAnimal's nose area
trigger · bang · rifle · pistol · shotgun · caliber · ammunition · firing
Strong negative reaction
- backfireYield unintended consequences
- boomerangSelf-returning thrown weapon
- blowbackUnintended negative consequences
- repercussionIndirect result of action
aftermath · fallout · retribution · karma · comeuppance · irony · unintended · reversal
Unintended negative consequences
- backlashStrong negative reaction
- kickFoot-delivered strike
- joltAbrupt forceful shake
- snapbackSudden return to position
jerk · bucking · thrust · knockback · impact · force · propulsion · jarring
Spring back after impact
- snapbackSudden return to position
- springbackElastic return to shape
- elasticityTendency to resume original form
- tensionStretched or strained state
rebound · return · retraction · restoration · resilience · compression · release · mechanism
shrink
Decrease in size
shy · blanch · shudder · quail · balk · start · jerk · twitch · startle · withdraw
disgust
Intense physical aversion
- revulsionIntense physical disgust
- aversionIntense dislike or repugnance
- distasteMild aversion or dislike
loathing · abhorrence · repugnance · horror · nausea · contempt · detestation · antipathy · squeamishness · shudder
kick
Foot-delivered strike
muzzle · trigger · bang · rifle · pistol · shotgun · caliber · ammunition · firing · gunshot
backlash
Strong negative reaction
- backfireYield unintended consequences
- boomerangSelf-returning thrown weapon
- blowbackUnintended negative consequences
repercussion · aftermath · fallout · retribution · karma · comeuppance · irony · unintended · reversal · countereffect
blowback
Unintended negative consequences
snapback · jerk · bucking · thrust · knockback · impact · force · propulsion · jarring · concussion
bounce
Spring back after impact
- snapbackSudden return to position
- springbackElastic return to shape
- elasticityTendency to resume original form
tension · rebound · return · retraction · restoration · resilience · compression · release · mechanism · buffer
- reboundsoffensive rebound, defensive rebound, putback, second chance, board
- naval gunnerynaval gun, cannons, gunnery drills, guns, naval guns
- escapementsescapement, verge escapement, balance wheel, pallet, verge
- FPS skillsaiming, headshot, headshots, strafing, peeking
- breathingbreathing, inhalation, breath, exhalation, breathe
- aversionaversion, disgust, hatred, repulsion, loathing
recoiladvance
Move or progress forward
approach · lunge · spring forward · move forward · press forward
recoilhold steady
Remain constant, unmoved
remain · stay · steady · stand firm · hold ground
- recoil in horror
- recoil managementControlling firearm pushback
- felt recoil
- recoil padShock absorber for firearms
- recoil controlManaging firearm kickback