What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cower
Example
The dog cowered in the corner when the thunderstorm started. [cowered: past tense]
Example
She cowered behind the couch, afraid to face the intruder. [cower: verb]
recoil
Example
He recoiled in horror at the sight of the dead body. [recoiled: past tense]
Example
The gun's recoil was too strong for her to handle. [recoil: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Recoil is more commonly used than cower in everyday language. Recoil is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while cower is less common and has a more specific connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cower and recoil?
Both cower and recoil are generally considered formal words and may not be used in casual conversation. However, recoil may be used in more technical or scientific contexts, such as describing the recoil of a firearm.
