re·flex·ive
ri-ˈflek-siv 
1
a
: directed or turned back on itself
b
: marked by or capable of reflection : reflective
2
: of, relating to, characterized by, or being a relation that exists between an entity and itself
the relation "is equal to" is reflexive but the relation "is the father of" is not
3
: of, relating to, or constituting an action (as in "he perjured himself") directed back on the agent or the grammatical subject
4
: characterized by habitual and unthinking behavior
Examples of reflexive in a Sentence
Adjective
In “I hurt myself,” the verb “hurt” is reflexive.
In the sentence “We forced ourselves to finish the assignment,” the word “ourselves” is a reflexive pronoun.
For many people, the reflexive response to this kind of demand is to say no.
music that triggers reflexive toe tapping
Recent Examples on the Web
Erik Wemple, Washington Post, 19 July 2024
His reflexive tendency to extend Lindsay the benefit of the doubt seemed both credulous and entirely rational.
—Eren Orbey, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024
Jonathan Dee, Harper's Magazine, 11 May 2022
See all Example Sentences for reflexive 
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.
Adjective
Besides, the reflexive and facile supposition that media coverage drove this tragic event grinds against evidence that Americans have been increasingly tuning out the news, especially coverage of politics.
—Erik Wemple, Washington Post, 19 July 2024
His reflexive tendency to extend Lindsay the benefit of the doubt seemed both credulous and entirely rational.
—Eren Orbey, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024
Noun
Andrew Bevel’s motivation for publishing a memoir goes beyond that reflexive droit du seigneur Ida describes.
—Jonathan Dee, Harper's Magazine, 11 May 2022
See all Example Sentences for reflexive
Dictionary Entries Near reflexive
Cite this Entry
“Reflexive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reflexive. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reflexive
1 of 2 adjective
re·flex·ive
ri-ˈflek-siv
1
: turned back upon itself
2
: of, relating to, or being an action directed back upon the doer or the grammatical subject
3
: of, relating to, or being a relation which exists between a thing and itself
the relation of equality or "is equal to" is reflexive but the relation "is the parent of" is not
4
: characterized by behavior that occurs automatically without thinking
a reflexive response
reflexively
adverb
reflexive
2 of 2 noun
: a pronoun that refers to the grammatical subject and is the object of the verb
in the sentence "We forced ourselves to finish the assignment," the word "ourselves" is a reflexive
Medical Definition
reflexive
adjective
re·flex·ive
ri-ˈflek-siv
: characterized by habitual and unthinking behavior
also
: relating to or consisting of a reflex
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share