Flinch, recoil, and wince are all synonyms of quail, but each word has a slightly different use. When you flinch, you fail to endure pain or to face something dangerous or frightening with resolution ("she faced her accusers without flinching"). Recoil implies a start or movement away from something through shock, fear, or disgust ("he recoiled at the suggestion of stealing"). Wince usually suggests a slight involuntary physical reaction to something ("she winced as the bright light suddenly hit her eyes"). Quail implies shrinking and cowering in fear ("he quailed before the apparition").
Noun
We had quail for dinner. Verb
Other politicians quailed before him.
He quailed at the thought of seeing her again.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Here, one quail stands sentinel, his covey likely hidden among the chaparral vegetation.—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 June 2024 Watch: Quail fights off snake in effort to protect eggs
In the Tucson footage captured by an outdoor camera, a quail is seen fighting a snake attempting to get the eggs in her nest.—Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 26 Apr. 2024
Verb
Modern agricultural practices have eliminated many of the weeds that quail thrive on.—Brent Frazee, Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2024 Biologists, wildlife authorities and hunters share ideas on how to bring the pheasants and quail back.—Brent Frazee, Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for quail
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'quail.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English quaile, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin quaccula, of imitative origin
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