recoils

re-coils

verb

For a firearm, to spring back forcefully after being discharged.

"The rifle recoils powerfully."

verb

To suddenly move back or flinch in fear, disgust, or shock.

"He recoils from the snake."

noun

Sudden backward movements, especially of a firearm after being discharged.

"The gun's recoils were strong."

Thesaurus

Synonyms: funk, cringe, shrink, flinch, squinch, quail, wince, reverberate, spring, rebound, bound, ricochet