recoiled
Drew back instinctively
Recoiled is the past tense of recoil.
To recoil is to draw back suddenly, usually in fear, disgust, or surprise: She recoiled when she saw the spider.
Guns recoil when fired—the force pushes the weapon backward.
Figuratively, people recoil from ideas or actions they find repulsive: He recoiled at the thought of betraying his friends.
Intense physical aversion
- repulsionDisgust or pushing-away force
- abhorrenceExtreme hatred or disgust
- loathingIntense, settled disgust
- distasteMild aversion or dislike
aversion · repugnance · horror · squeamishness · antipathy · nausea · sickened · appalled
Decrease in size
- cowerShrink back in dread
- cringeShrink from discomfort
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
- withdrawRemove or pull away
pull back · draw back · shy away · back away · blanch · quail · tremble · alarmed
Stretched or strained state
- elasticityTendency to resume original form
- compressionForcing into smaller space
- spiralCurve winding around center
- mechanicalOperated by machinery
release · contraction · expansion · resilience · bounce · snap · potential energy · stored energy
disgust
Intense physical aversion
- repulsionDisgust or pushing-away force
- abhorrenceExtreme hatred or disgust
- loathingIntense, settled disgust
distaste · aversion · repugnance · horror · squeamishness · antipathy · nausea · sickened · appalled · revolted
shrink
Decrease in size
withdraw · pull back · draw back · shy away · back away · blanch · quail · tremble · alarmed · frightened
tension
Stretched or strained state
- elasticityTendency to resume original form
- compressionForcing into smaller space
- spiralCurve winding around center
mechanical · release · contraction · expansion · resilience · bounce · snap · potential energy · stored energy · sprung
kickback
Illegal payment for services
- blowbackUnintended negative consequences
- backlashStrong negative reaction
- snapbackSudden return to position
springback · bounce · ricochet · jolt · lurch · jarred · thrust · impact · momentum · force
flinch
Involuntary retreat from threat
start · startle · blink · shudder · spasm · knee-jerk · instinctive · involuntary · automatic · reactive
- pulling backflinched, retreated, withdrew, retracted, backed off
- going backwardretreated, went back, reversed, returned, withdrew
- second thoughtssecond thoughts, reconsideration, rethinking, change of mind, change of heart
- surrenderedsurrendered, capitulated, yielded, conceded, submitted
recoiledadvanced
Far along in development
approached · lunged · leaned in · reached out · closed in
recoiledembraced
Held someone warmly
welcomed · accepted · leaned into · confronted · engaged
recoiledconfronted
Challenged or opposed directly
faced · engaged · tackled · stood up to · braved
- recoil in horror
- recoil managementControlling firearm pushback
- felt recoil
- recoil padShock absorber for firearms
- recoil controlManaging firearm kickback