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

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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

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 There was a reflex stop on a David Kämpf flash rebound in the second period. — Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026

Noun

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 In soccer, speed is more than just a fast-twitch sprint reflex. — Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for reflex

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reflex

Adjective

What ultimately proved effective at stopping this was not necessarily the convergence of technology and lessons learned, but a proactive rather than reactive strategy towards stopping intrusions.

— Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
He’s become consumed by trying to solve theatrical lighting—essentially, creating ultra-cheap audience-reactive lightshows for coffee shops and small venues.

— Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026

Definition of reactive

Noun

The innermost layer is a porous carbon buffer that absorbs recoil energy from fission fragments and provides internal clearance to collect gaseous fission products.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 23 July 2026
Mention your need for a kitchen rug in conversation, and you'll either be greeted with enthusiastic recommendations or watch someone recoil at the thought of putting textiles in one of the home's most spill-prone, high-traffic spaces.

— Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 9 July 2026

Definition of recoil

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

Yet, Hizzoner’s visceral disdain for the Jewish state carries troubling undertones of antisemitism.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
The gruesome tragedy transforms every scene that follows, and as Irene’s trauma mutates into something primal, what begins as a portrait of impossible loss reveals itself as a visceral examination of survival itself.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 24 July 2026

Definition of visceral

Noun

The stock is within a few percentage points of its 52-week high, despite the recent rebound in oil prices, which could weigh on consumers’ desire to buy pricey drinks away from home.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 24 July 2026
But the unexpected hero of the night was Preston Plambeck, a homegrown player who came off the bench and scored the game-winning goal in the 87th minute, finishing off a rebound for his first MLS goal.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 23 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

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Style

“Reflex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reflex. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of reflex

adjective

noun

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