reflect

verb

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re·flect | \ ri-ˈflekt

reflected; reflecting; reflects

Definition of reflect

transitive verb

1 : to prevent passage of and cause to change direction a mirror reflects light

2 : to give back or exhibit as an image, likeness, or outline : mirror the clouds were reflected in the water

3 : to bring or cast as a result his attitude reflects little credit on his judgment

4 : to make manifest or apparent : show the painting reflects his artistic vision the pulse reflects the condition of the heart

5 : realize, consider

6 : to bend or fold back

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

intransitive verb

1 : to throw back light or sound

2a : to think quietly and calmly

b : to express a thought or opinion resulting from reflection

3a : to tend to bring reproach or discredit an investigation that reflects on all the members of the department

b : to bring about a specified appearance or characterization an act which reflects well on her

c : to have a bearing or influence

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about reflect

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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

Examples of reflect in a Sentence

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 memo appears to reflect the reality that voters, presidential electors, courts and now Congress have accepted or certified that Biden won the election and is the president-elect. — Paul Farhi, Anchorage Daily News, "Talk-radio owner orders conservative hosts to temper election fraud rhetoric," 11 Jan. 2021 But on Monday the platform was updated to reflect the potential for law enforcement access. — Wired Staff, Wired, "Security News This Week: The SolarWinds Investigation Ramps Up," 9 Jan. 2021 Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that police say a woman was fatally shot. — Carlie Wells, NOLA.com, "Woman killed in shooting on North Villere Street, New Orleans police say," 8 Jan. 2021 In this context, the mob stampeding through the Capitol seemed to reflect disruptive forces lurking in many parts of the Western world. — New York Times, "A Shattering Blow to America’s Troubled Democratic Image," 7 Jan. 2021 This piece has been updated to reflect multiple outlets declaring Jon Ossoff the winner of his Senate runoff race. — Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, "“Bipartisanship” Is Climate Poison," 6 Jan. 2021 Since 2007, insurers have bulked up their reserves with more than $10 billion in charges against their earnings to reflect the higher anticipated payouts. — Serena Ng, WSJ, "Merger of U.S. Insurer Genworth and China Oceanwide Fizzles," 4 Jan. 2021 The bottom line is the rules of the House ought to reflect the reality here. — Kerry Picket, Washington Examiner, "Democrats defend gender-neutral pronoun rule," 3 Jan. 2021 Across rural Arkansas, conservative-minded people adoring of Donald Trump and resentful of government rules have elected droves of Republican state legislators to reflect their adorations and resentments. — John Brummett, Arkansas Online, "Ledge chomping at the bit," 3 Jan. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reflect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

17 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Reflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reflect. Accessed 28 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for reflect

reflect

verb

English Language Learners Definition of reflect

of light, sound, etc. : to move in one direction, hit a surface, and then quickly move in a different and usually opposite direction

: to show the image of (something) on a surface

: to show (something) : to make (something) known

See the full definition for reflect in the English Language Learners Dictionary

reflect

verb

re·flect | \ ri-ˈflekt

reflected; reflecting

Kids Definition of reflect

1 : to bend or throw back (waves of light, sound, or heat) A polished surface reflects light.

2 : to give back an image or likeness of in the manner of a mirror The clouds were reflected in the water.

3 : to make known The book reflects her beliefs.

4 : to cause to be thought of in a specified way or in a bad way Your poor behavior reflects on the whole class.

5 : to think seriously and carefully about I reflected on the problem.

reflect

transitive verb

re·flect | \ ri-ˈflekt

Medical Definition of reflect

1 : to bend or fold back : impart a backward curve, bend, or fold to

2 : to push or lay aside (as tissue or an organ) during surgery in order to gain access to the part to be operated on the pleura were reflected and later closed over the stump

intransitive verb

: to throw back light or sound : return rays, beams, or waves

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