Collocations for "recoil"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "recoil" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
recoil
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.v
- her [face, expression, body] recoiled
- recoiled in [pain, disgust, shock, horror]
- made him recoil in [pain]
- the [child, dog, girl] recoiled in [pain]
- (tried to) keep from recoiling in [pain]
- recoiled when she [saw, heard, observed]
- recoiled from the [touch, blow]
- recoiled at the [thought, prospect, idea] (of)
- recoil from the [thought]
- anyone would recoil at the [thought] of
- [suddenly, slightly, instinctively] recoiled
- recoiled suddenly [when, as]
- [springs, muscles, lungs, tendons] recoil
- felt his tendon recoil
- the gun recoiled a [bit, little]
- when the gun recoiled
- their words will recoil upon them
- the recoil [from, of] the [rifle, gun]
- the [amount, force] of recoil