2 uses
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Definition
to move backward suddenly (sometimes figuratively)
especially:
- the backward jerk of a gun or cannon when it is fired
- when a person flinches (suddenly draws back) from someone or something, as with fear, disgust, or pain
- when a person is emotionally repulsed, as by disgust
- when something intended to go in one direction figuratively falls back in the opposite direction; for example, a story told to hurt someone that comes back to hurt the teller
- She would employ the classic push-pull to control recoil when she fired.p. 52.9
- Straus recoiled from it.p. 420.9
There are no more uses of "recoil" in Zero Day.
Typical Usage
(best examples)