1
grammar
: showing that the action in a sentence or clause happens to the person or thing that does the action
In "I hurt myself," the verb "hurt" is reflexive.
In the sentence "We forced ourselves to finish the assignment," the word "ourselves" is a reflexive pronoun.
2
: happening or done without thinking as a reaction to something
For many people, the reflexive response to this kind of demand is to say no.
music that triggers reflexive toe tapping
Cite this Entry
“Reflexive.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/reflexive. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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