[verb] [I] - to move back because of fear or disgustShe turned round to greet him then recoiled in horror when she saw the state he was in.He recoils in disgust at the mere mention of her name.(figurative) She recoiled at the idea of paying $70 for a theatre ticket (= She thought it was unacceptable).
RECOIL
Meaning of RECOIL in English
Cambridge English vocab. Кембриджский английский словарь. 2012