reflect

verb

re·flect ri-ˈflekt

reflected; reflecting; reflects

Synonyms of reflect next

transitive verb

: to prevent passage of and cause to change direction

a mirror reflects light

: to give back or exhibit as an image, likeness, or outline : mirror

the clouds were reflected in the water

: to bring or cast as a result

his attitude reflects little credit on his judgment

: to make manifest or apparent : show

the painting reflects his artistic vision

the pulse reflects the condition of the heart

: realize, consider

: to bend or fold back

archaic : to turn into or away from a course : deflect

intransitive verb

: to throw back light or sound

: to think quietly and calmly

: to express a thought or opinion resulting from reflection

: to tend to bring reproach or discredit

an investigation that reflects on all the members of the department

: to bring about a specified appearance or characterization

an act which reflects well on her

: to have a bearing or influence

Choose the Right Synonym for reflect

think, cogitate, reflect, reason, speculate, deliberate mean to use one's powers of conception, judgment, or inference.

think is general and may apply to any mental activity, but used alone often suggests attainment of clear ideas or conclusions.

teaches students how to think

cogitate implies deep or intent thinking.

cogitated on the mysteries of nature

reflect suggests unhurried consideration of something recalled to the mind.

reflecting on fifty years of married life

reason stresses consecutive logical thinking.

able to reason brilliantly in debate

speculate implies reasoning about things theoretical or problematic.

speculated on the fate of the lost explorers

deliberate suggests slow or careful reasoning before forming an opinion or reaching a conclusion or decision.

the jury deliberated for five hours

Example Sentences

The old church is reflected in the glass exterior of the skyscraper. Her book clearly reflects her beliefs. Where you learned a language is reflected in your accent.

Recent Examples on the Web The offer reflected a dramatic shift for a president who long had refused to haggle at all over the country’s credit, fearing that the risks of miscalculation could plunge the economy into a recession. —

Tony Romm, Marianna Sotomayor, Leigh Ann Caldwell, Tyler Pager, Jeff Stein, Rachel Siegel, The Washington Post, Anchorage Daily News, 4 June 2023 Enter Email Sign Up That approach reflected a broader strategy President Joe Biden’s team followed in the debt limit negotiations, according to interviews with current and former administration officials, some Republicans and other people familiar with the talks. —

Jim Tankersley, BostonGlobe.com, 3 June 2023 The look also reflected Barbara’s boldness and confidence. —

Carolyn Hinds, Variety, 3 June 2023 Watch Clarkson reflect on her creepy doll experience in the video above. —

Kyle Denis, Billboard, 2 June 2023 That is reflected in public opinion, with 83% of respondents expressing negative views of China in a Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults in March. —

Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 2 June 2023 But after the article published online, Mr. Spears, his family and the university said the account was inaccurate, and The Times updated the article to reflect their statements. —

Steve Eder, New York Times, 2 June 2023 Partly, Aylward says, the decline in telehealth usage reflects the trend of the overall U.S. population. —

Byrichard Eisenberg, Fortune Well, 2 June 2023 This story was updated at 2:50 p.m. on June 1, 2023, to reflect the final approval of the legislation by the Alabama Legislature. —

John Sharp | Jsharp@al.com, al, 1 June 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reflect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.