Shrink back

RECOIL

Think of the sudden backward jerk of a gun after firing, or how someone might flinch from a loud noise.

"Shrink back" hints at a sudden, instinctive reaction to pull away from something frightening or unpleasant. The answer "RECOIL" fits perfectly because it means to jerk backward in fear or disgust, like flinching from a loud noise. The word also ties to guns—when a firearm is discharged, it "recoils," which aligns with the idea of a sharp, backward motion. It’s a straightforward definition with no hidden wordplay, just a direct match for the action described.