verb
to draw back usually through fear or disgust
recoiled from the snake
Synonyms: blanch, blench, flinch, quail, shrink, squinch, start, wince
Related Word: falter, hesitate, waver; balk, shy, stick, stickle; dodge, duck, swerve; quake, shake, shudder, tremble; reel (back)
Contrasted words: advance, approach, near
Antonyms: confront; defy