Pavlovian

adjective

Definition of Pavloviannext
as in reflex

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of Pavlovian Publications from the Times on down employ clickbait headlines that treat you like a starving rat in a Pavlovian experiment. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 O’Neill, who also has Pavlovian as a starter, named Cristian Torres to ride Robusta because Emisael Jaramillo had commitments at Santa Anita. — Jay Posner, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026 Having been in a couple of recent street fights in Derby qualifying races, Pavlovian looks to have a haymaker’s chance. — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2026 Why this is so is based on a number of factors, including official priorities, trade-offs, and what many suspect is Pavlovian manipulation. — New Atlas, 16 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Pavlovian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Pavlovian
  1. reflex
  2. subconscious
  3. visceral
  4. conditioned
  5. subliminal
  6. reactive
  7. unconscious
  8. automatic
Adjective
  • Padmini smiled, though this appeared more reflex than friendliness.
    — Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
  • One breath, just long enough to let the reflex pass and judgment catch up.
    — Alfonso Cahero, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of reflex
Adjective
  • Solms also makes a credible claim that Freud was right in speaking about a subconscious drive to seek pleasure.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 19 Aug. 2026
  • We are swayed by subconscious gestures that ultimately have no bearing on a person’s ability to do a job, like poor posture or a weak handshake.
    — Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of subconscious
Adjective
  • Past studies have shown that visceral fat can be a bigger problem than subcutaneous fat, for instance.
    — Mike McRae August 24, New Atlas, 24 Aug. 2026
  • But he's long gotten used to summers without his phone, and the benefits are visceral.
    — Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of visceral
Adjective
  • As the protagonist Ben in Night of the Living Dead (1968), Duane Jones unveiled a distinct facet of pre-conditioned Black martyrdom.
    — Malik Peay, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2023
  • The new formula is infused with a luscious blend of flower oils so that lashes feel conditioned and supple to the touch.
    — Daisy Maldonado, SELF, 13 Sep. 2022
Definition of conditioned
Adjective
  • Rather than questioning the practice of manifesting more broadly, though, Theiadora thinks the problem lies with a handful of rogue subliminal creators.
    — Daisy Schofield, Allure, 13 July 2026
  • Drop after drop after drop from the receivers and tight ends — all while Brandon Aiyuk continued to post subliminal messages on social media amid his feud with the 49ers.
    — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Definition of subliminal
Adjective
  • This is a dry fabrication technique that uses a chemically reactive plasma to remove material from a substrate.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The four samples contained mixtures of reactive dyes rather than the single dyes frequently examined in previous stripping research.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of reactive
Adjective
  • When cops arrived there they were told the man was unconscious and unresponsive when he was dumped there.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Zach Hickerson has since said Brian Hickerson administered Narcan to Panettiere after the brothers found her unconscious.
    — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of unconscious
Adjective
  • Without congressional action, that would mean an automatic reduction in benefits.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
  • It's got plenty of helpful features, such as automatic two-sided printing as well as copy and scan capabilities.
    — George Yang, PC Magazine, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of automatic

Browse Nearby Words

paving the way (for)
Pavlovian
paw
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Cite this Entry

“Pavlovian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Pavlovian. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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