What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
backflash
Example
The explosion caused a backflash, blinding everyone momentarily. [backflash: noun]
Example
Her comment triggered a backflash of anger in him. [backflash: noun]
recoil
Example
He recoiled in horror when he saw the spider crawling towards him. [recoiled: past tense]
Example
The idea of eating insects made her recoil in disgust. [recoil: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Recoil is more commonly used than backflash in everyday language. Recoil is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while backflash is less common and more specific in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between backflash and recoil?
While backflash is typically associated with a more technical or specialized tone, recoil is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
