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
  • One breath, just long enough to let the reflex pass and judgment catch up.
    — Alfonso Cahero, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • One of the most notable advantages of reflex balls is their inherent unpredictability.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 23 July 2026
Definition of reflex
Adjective
  • 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
  • Nolan has embraced an elaborately mathematical approach to storytelling and somehow applied it successfully to the subjects of subconscious corporate espionage, space exploration, and World War II.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 15 July 2026
Definition of subconscious
Adjective
  • Fat distribution matters One plausible explanation for the higher prevalence of cardiometabolic disease in men and postmenopausal women undergoing bariatric surgery is increased visceral fat, says Serlie.
    — Crystal Gwizdala, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026
  • But Yoon is careful, with his characteristically spare, visceral imagery, to establish Etna’s early happiness.
    — Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 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
  • That could have made playing a highly reactive character like Carol therapeutic.
    — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Without visibility into these interconnected changes, organizations are forced into reactive decision-making.
    — Josh Dunham, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of reactive
Adjective
  • Studies by psychologists like Ambady, Rosenthal, and Todorov show these snap judgments, often influenced by facial features or unconscious mimicry (the chameleon effect), significantly shape outcomes.
    — Andy Molinsky, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • McConnell was hospitalized the morning of June 14 after experiencing a fall that left him briefly unconscious, according to his office.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of unconscious
Adjective
  • Bo Bichette singled off Matt Festa to score automatic runner Francisco Lindor in the 10th inning, helping the New York Mets to a wild 6-5 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday night.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Bo Bichette drove in Francisco Lindor, the automatic runner, with a single off right-hander Matt Festa in the top of the 10th.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 6 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 7 Aug. 2026.

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