reflex
7
4.5
- adjective
- /ˈrɪflɛks/
- The doctor tested her knee-jerk response to check if the reflexes were working properly.
Examples
-
When I saw the ball coming towards me, I caught it by reflex without thinking.
-
He jumped back in reflex when the loud noise startled him.
-
And then automatically, you know, almost like a reflex, the inhalation happens.
-
I would pick up my phone just by reflex and start to hit Twitter while I'm chanting.
-
Whether the connection between "speech mechanism" and "concept mechanism" is reflex and automatic (Penfield and Roberts 234), or more complex and creative, it can work both ways.
Academic text (2003)
Synonyms
33
3.7
Done without thinking, like a quick natural reaction
28
4.1
A natural quick action or feeling that happens without thinking
9
6.8
An automatic action that happens without thinking, often a body reaction
Antonyms
Compounds
2
3.4
A quick movement your body makes without thinking, for example pulling your hand from something hot
- Specialized
1
5.3
An automatic response learned when a neutral sound or sign is repeatedly paired with something that naturally causes it
1
4.2
An automatic action your body makes without thinking when something touches or moves near you
1
5.5
A camera that lets you see and focus exactly what the lens shows before you take a photo
- Specialized
1
6.8
Toes move up when the sole is touched, normal in babies but may show nerve damage in adults
- Specialized
1
7.7
An automatic body reaction that makes hairs stand up when you are cold, scared, or your skin is irritated
- Specialized
1
5.3
An automatic change that makes the pupil smaller in bright light or after some drugs
- Specialized
1
4.0
An automatic body response to a touch or sound that happens without thinking
- Specialized
1
7.0
An automatic narrowing of the pupil in bright light or after some medicines
- Specialized
1
7.0
A path of nerve cells that sends quick signals for body reactions, like the knee-jerk
- Specialized
1
7.2
A new baby stretches the arms and pulls the legs in after a sudden loud noise or movement
- Specialized
1
6.5
An automatic muscle tightening that happens when a muscle is pulled
- Specialized
1
6.5
A learned automatic response to a signal, for example salivating at a bell
- Specialized
1
6.4
An automatic movement when someone touches a baby's cheek that makes them turn and open their mouth
- Specialized
1
8.8
A quick reaction that makes you retch or gag when the back of the throat is touched
- Specialized
1
5.9
An automatic movement in newborn animals like human babies that makes them find the mother's nipple and take milk
- Specialized
An automatic learned reaction to a signal after repeated practice, for example a dog drooling at a bell
- Formal
An automatic body signal that makes you want to push out poo when your bottom is full
- Specialized
The eye automatically changes the lens shape to focus on near and far objects
- Specialized
A sudden automatic kick of the lower leg when the tendon below the kneecap is tapped
- Specialized
Automatic body action that makes you empty your bladder when it is full
- Specialized
A fast automatic body response using one connection between the nerve that senses and the nerve that moves
- Specialized
A muscle tightens when its tendon is stretched to help keep the body upright
- Specialized
A natural body response when stool in the rectum makes you want to use the toilet
- Specialized
A condition that causes seizures when you see flashing lights or hear loud sounds
- Specialized
An automatic movement where the toes bend when the sole of the foot is stroked firmly, usually seen in adults
How Automatic
7
4.5
- Specialized
3
3.9
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Reflex comes from the Latin parts re- 'back' and flectere 'to bend'. Think of flex (to bend) — a reflex action is a very fast, automatic movement that 'bends back' or happens without thinking as a reply to something.