REFLEX Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

reflex 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of reflex

as in reactive

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Dissimilar Words

reflex

2 of 2

noun

as in recoil

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 reflex

Adjective

Gargling vigorously enough that your eyes water slightly engages the same reflex doctors use clinically to check vagal function. — Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026 That reflex delays care and erodes trust. — Liz Koch, STAT, 6 Apr. 2026

Noun

Boxing reflex ball features Due to the simple design and minimal components, reflex balls don’t have many features to consider when purchasing. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 July 2026 This triggers the mammalian dive reflex, which helps mammals increase their chances of survival by slowing their heart and respiratory rates. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for reflex

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reflex

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

Noun

The shorter rear section creates additional clearance between the mouse and the palm of the player’s hand during recoil control, downward movements and other small in-hand corrections.

— Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Russia, already shock-therapied into unprecedented national calamity, was beginning to recoil from fervent Americanophilia into vengeful ultra-nationalism.

— Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026

Definition of recoil

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

Noun

MacLeod’s revulsion toward copyright comes from frustration, and a desire to divorce art from capital incentives.

— Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026
The deepest reason for this near-universal futility is that most of us remain imprisoned by the delusions of the ego, suffering from alternating cravings and revulsions.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 May 2026

Definition of revulsion

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

Noun

Tolerance can develop within days, and is often followed by rebound sleep disruption in the second half of the night.

— Joan M. Cook, Time, 31 July 2026
Off a rebound in the 48th minute, Hopkins scored her second goal and Debinha matched her teammate with her own brace in the 52nd minute for the team’s fifth goal of the night.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026

Definition of rebound

Adjective

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

Definition of Pavlovian

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

Cite this Entry

Style

“Reflex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reflex. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of reflex

adjective

noun

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