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

As the session continues, Atlas’s movements appear increasingly fluid, suggesting the system is being evaluated not only for strength but also for agility, reflex response, and adaptive motor control. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 24 June 2026 Wyle listened to the two women’s breathing and administered a reflex test on their knees. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 8 May 2026

Noun

Give yourself a moment to separate genuine concern from the old reflex to keep everyone comfortable. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026 The reflex read on a $45 billion commitment is that spending is outrunning revenue. — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reflex

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reflex

Adjective

Electrons can then leak out of the chain, bonding with oxygen in the wrong parts of the mitochondria to form highly reactive free radicals that attack and deform neighboring molecules.

— Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Without a strategic talent function, there is a heightened risk of critical workforce decisions becoming inherently reactive.

— Syed Ahmad, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of reactive

Noun

One obvious reason for this had been that officials weren't entirely certain what the effects of firing the cannon might be on the spacecraft, such as the weapon's recoil on the station while fired in a microgravity environment.

— Micah Hanks, Space.com, 9 Oct. 2026
And the fact that its recoil didn’t threaten to detach your retinas with each trigger pull was a big bonus.

— John B. Snow, Outdoor Life, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of recoil

Adjective

Together, the four officers dragged the unconscious man into the hallway.

— Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Like Dominique Pelicot, the French man who used the online chat platform Coco to recruit men to rape his drugged and unconscious wife, the @SteveCumfulls of the world thrive on the internet’s reach and de-facto anonymity.

— Anahid Nersessian, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of unconscious

Noun

Someone else expresses revulsion at seeing dogs devour bodies left to rot, but the disgust doesn’t seem to extend to the killings themselves.

— Jay Weissberg, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
Anyone with even the mildest case of trypophobia—the sense of revulsion from tiny clusters and holes—should avert their eyes.

— Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of revulsion

Adjective

Suffice to say, however, that a neutral fan – and, given the size of the media markets directly involved, there are more of those than there have been in recent years – will likely have less of a visceral reaction to a Rays-Brewers World Series.

— Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
The visceral intricacy of the action alone feels unprecedented for stop-motion.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of visceral

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

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“Reflex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reflex. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of reflex

adjective

noun

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