recoiled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "recoiled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a physical or emotional reaction of withdrawing or flinching back from something unpleasant or shocking. Example: "She recoiled in horror when she saw the snake slithering across the path."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But large investors recoiled from the plan, believing that Flint was receiving a big increase in pay while his job description remained unchanged.

The Guardian - Business

Prentice, who seems to have been an intelligent and sympathetic man, recoiled from the story, and decided to print the collection as it had originally been conceived.

The Guardian - Books

I just recoiled.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Disraeli, Gladstone's greatest rival, recoiled from his rhetoric over Bulgaria, calling him an "unprincipled maniac" and "a sophistical rhetorician inebriated with the exuberance of his own verbosity".

The Economist

In Belfast, he heard middle-class Catholics who would have recoiled from Republican violence during the Troubles declare their support for the Irish nationalist Sinn Fein party, whose terrorist wing, the IRA, carried out those killings.

The Economist

Scholem recoiled from Arendt's apparent suggestion that Jews were complicit in their own destruction, accusing her of lacking ahavath Israel (love for the Jewish people).

The Economist

But among the DPJ's 340,000 rank-and-file, Mr Kan won about five times as many votes, as party members recoiled from Mr Ozawa's murky reputation, financial scandals and faction-based political style.

The Economist

The rest of the world recoiled in horror from the idea of televised trials after the year-long media frenzy surrounding the O.J. Simpson trial in 1995.

The Economist

Since then, reformists have recoiled at political bloodshed in neighbouring countries.

The Economist

Whereas the western world recoiled in horror over ethnic cleansing by Serb nationalists, yet was prepared to make excuses for similar crimes committed by Croats or Bosnian Muslims, Greek public opinion reacted in the opposite way.

The Economist

If it were an emerging market, America would probably have hit trouble already: foreigners would have recoiled from financing its gaping budget deficits; default or a bail-out would have followed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "recoiled" to vividly depict a sudden, involuntary reaction of drawing back, whether physically or emotionally, from something unpleasant, shocking, or dangerous. This word effectively conveys a sense of immediate aversion or impact.

Common error

Avoid using "recoiled" for situations where a milder term like "flinched" or "hesitated" would be more appropriate. "Recoiled" implies a significant level of aversion or impact; using it for minor discomfort can sound exaggerated.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "recoiled" is as the past participle of the verb 'recoil', indicating a completed action of drawing back suddenly. It often functions as part of a verb phrase, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples, showing how someone or something has moved away from an impact or something unpleasant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

17%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

6%

Academic

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "recoiled" is a verb that vividly describes a sudden, involuntary movement or reaction of drawing back, typically due to aversion, fear, or impact. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and indicates it's very common across various contexts, particularly in news and media sources. While appropriate for both formal and informal settings, be mindful of the intensity it conveys; milder reactions might be better described with alternatives like "flinched" or "hesitated". When used accurately, "recoiled" effectively emphasizes the immediacy and intensity of a response, making it a powerful word choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flinched

Implies a sudden, involuntary movement in response to pain or surprise; less forceful than "recoiled".

shrank back

Suggests a physical withdrawal, often from fear or disgust; similar to "recoiled" but emphasizes the act of becoming smaller.

winced

Indicates a slight drawing back, typically from pain or discomfort; a milder reaction than "recoiled".

cringed

Implies shrinking or flinching in embarrassment or disgust; carries a stronger sense of shame than "recoiled".

bounced back

Suggests a quick recovery or return after an impact or setback; focuses on resilience rather than aversion.

shied away

Indicates avoidance or hesitation due to fear or dislike; less sudden than "recoiled".

pulled back

Suggests a deliberate withdrawal, either physically or emotionally; less immediate than "recoiled".

rebounded

Implies a return to a previous state or position, often after an impact or setback; more focused on the recovery aspect.

sprang back

Suggests a quick, energetic return; emphasizes the speed and force of the movement.

backed away

Indicates a gradual retreat or distancing; less abrupt than "recoiled".

FAQs

How can I use "recoiled" in a sentence?

Use "recoiled" to describe a sudden, involuntary movement away from something frightening, disgusting, or otherwise unpleasant. For example: "She "recoiled" in horror at the sight of the spider."

What are some alternatives to "recoiled"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "recoiled" include "flinched", "shrank back", "winced", or "cringed". Choose the word that best fits the specific nuance of the reaction you want to describe.

Is "recoiled" a formal or informal word?

"Recoiled" is generally considered a neutral word suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the situation being described than on the level of formality.

What's the difference between "recoiled" and "retreated"?

"Recoiled" implies a sudden, involuntary reaction, while "retreated" suggests a more deliberate and controlled withdrawal. You recoil from something shocking; you retreat from a tactical disadvantage.