shrank back
Flinched away instinctively
To shrink back is to recoil or withdraw, usually from fear, disgust, or reluctance.
The movement is instinctive—pulling away from something threatening or unpleasant: She shrank back when he raised his hand.
Shrank back is the simple past tense form of this phrasal verb.
- pulled awayMoved back or departed
- hesitatePause in uncertainty
- trembleShake from fear
- cowerShrink back in dread
- apprehendSeize or understand
flinch · recoil · falter · lost nerve · shy away · shied away from · waver · retreat · cringe · withdraw · duck · winced · shied · dread · dodge · reeled · danger · fear
- surrenderedsurrendered, capitulated, yielded, conceded, submitted
shrank backadvanced
Far along in development
moved forward · approached · leaned in · closed in · charged
shrank backstood one's ground
Refused to back down
confronted · stood up to · braved · defied · stood tall
shrank backengaged
Pledged to marry
embraced · welcomed · reached out · opened up · leaned into
shrank, back, shrink, shrinks, shrinking, shrunk, shrunken, shrinkage, backs