as in reflex
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Recent Examples of Pavlovian
When the needle finally drops, the effect is Pavlovian.
—
Alison Herman, Variety, 25 July 2025
The result is a political Pavlovian response where even modest tax reforms come with a side of millionaire exodus think-pieces.
—Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
The theme is the same Pavlovian ring tone as its dating show predecessor, but off-kilter — the Wario to Love Island’s Mario.
—Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 13 July 2025
The response was Pavlovian, the practice ingrained in her by her own mother, who spent much of her time pacifying her insecure and whiny husband.
—Literary Hub, 9 July 2025
George Lucas’ 1977 space saga is pure Pavlovian pop rush and knows how to modernize creaky B-movie genre elements for maximum audience reaction.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025
Drivers build lives around parking: the work shifts altered to align with the alternate-side-rotation hours, the keys always in the pocket, the Pavlovian alertness at the chirp of an unlocking car.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
After a decade, my body reacts in a Pavlovian way to its stimuli, the scroll of torsos, the dopamine of a red dot notification, a three-toned beep that perks you up in your chair.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 11 Feb. 2025
Alison Herman, Variety, 25 July 2025
The result is a political Pavlovian response where even modest tax reforms come with a side of millionaire exodus think-pieces.
—Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
The theme is the same Pavlovian ring tone as its dating show predecessor, but off-kilter — the Wario to Love Island’s Mario.
—Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 13 July 2025
The response was Pavlovian, the practice ingrained in her by her own mother, who spent much of her time pacifying her insecure and whiny husband.
—Literary Hub, 9 July 2025
George Lucas’ 1977 space saga is pure Pavlovian pop rush and knows how to modernize creaky B-movie genre elements for maximum audience reaction.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025
Drivers build lives around parking: the work shifts altered to align with the alternate-side-rotation hours, the keys always in the pocket, the Pavlovian alertness at the chirp of an unlocking car.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
After a decade, my body reacts in a Pavlovian way to its stimuli, the scroll of torsos, the dopamine of a red dot notification, a three-toned beep that perks you up in your chair.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 11 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Pavlovian
Adjective
-
That reflex delays care and erodes trust.—
Liz Koch,
STAT,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The ten seconds that led to the Braylon Mullins’ miracle shot were a series of reflex plays, reactions, the ultimate in instincts taking over, living in the split second, rather than in the moment.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This retrograde is stirring up your subconscious mind, private emotions, and hidden fears in ways that can feel strangely revealing.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
-
By evening, disruptive Uranus enters your 12th House of Secrets and Solitude, stirring dreams, memories, and subconscious patterns.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
More than ever, there is a visceral need for kindness and empathy.—
Aariana Rose Philip,
Vogue,
4 May 2026
-
McNeely devised a remarkably visceral blend of German Expressionism, Surrealism, and feminism.—
Dan Stahl,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
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
Adjective
-
In the year since, both women have appeared to send subliminal messages about each other via their social media, but neither has outwardly dissed the other until this week, keeping it mostly professional.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
16 Apr. 2026
-
As a child raised amid war and displacement, uncertainty and subliminal anxiety felt natural to me.—
Mehrnoush Soroush,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Later, the Moon squares Mars in Aries, which can make conversations feel rushed or reactive.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
7 May 2026
-
Keep it practical instead of emotional or reactive in the moment.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
5 May 2026
Adjective
-
Upon arrival, officers found the man lying on the ground, unconscious and cold to the touch, the department said.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
-
Parker and Larsen arrived at the home and found two men unconscious in a hallway between a bedroom and a bathroom.—
Lexi Lane,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
When the program switched from optional to automatic enrollment, participation rose from 40% to 100%.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
10 May 2026
-
Released in 2024, the titanium timepiece is equipped with a levitating flying tourbillon that allows the wearer to alternate between automatic and manual modes.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pavlovian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Pavlovian. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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