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reflex

reflex

54 3.7
A quick action you do without thinking in response to something
  • noun
  • /ˈriːflɛks/
translation icon : reflejo
  • When the doctor tapped his knee, the reflex made his leg kick out unexpectedly.
  • reflex arc
  • orienting reflex
  • vestibulo-ocular reflex

It's a great game for observation, for reflexes, for concentration as well.

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Examples

  • His quick reflex allowed him to catch the ball before it hit the ground.

  • Uncontrollably, her whole body starts to shake, and as if by reflex, ADA begins to walk.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • - Sorry, it's a reflex action.

  • That was a reflex action in the heat of the moment.

  • It's just a reflex action.

  • It was a reflex action.

  • The boy's hand sprang up by reflex, and his face broke into a smile.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • It was an involuntary reflex.

  • Anya's eyes flash open and, totally on reflex, she belts Dmitri in the nose.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • The sudden loud noise caused her to flinch in reflex, even though she knew it was just a car backfiring.

Synonyms

gut reaction
vsreflex
8 4.3

A strong first feeling you have without thinking

describes an automatic bodily act caused by a stimulus, not mainly emotion
reflex action
vsreflex
2 3.4

A quick movement your body makes without thinking, for example pulling your hand from something hot

emphasizes being instinctive and involuntary rather than learning status
physiological reaction
vsreflex
  • Specialized
1 4.5

An automatic body response to something that affects it, like sweating or a faster heartbeat

is the general term for involuntary acts, not limited to bodily changes
reflex response
vsreflex
4.2

An automatic action your body makes without thinking when something touches or moves near you

stresses involuntary bodily movement rather than any learned behaviour
instinctive reflex
vsreflex
  • Specialized
4.0

An automatic body response to a touch or sound that happens without thinking

underscores involuntary and unconscious control rather than learning status
5.1

A quick action you do without thinking

puts stronger stress on being involuntary and uncontrolled by thought
innate reflex
vsreflex
  • Specialized
4.1

An automatic action your body makes without being taught

focuses on involuntary, automatic nature rather than origin or timing
unconditioned reflex
vsreflex
  • Specialized
6.5

An automatic body response to a signal without learning

highlights instinctive, involuntary nature more than conditioning history
inborn reflex
vsreflex
  • Specialized
3.5

An automatic action a baby does without learning

applies generally to involuntary bodily acts beyond those present at birth

Antonyms

3 8.0

The ability to act on purpose and direct the mind toward a goal

learned response
  • Specialized
1 5.7

A reaction a person develops from practice or experience, not one they are born with

Compounds

gag reflex
  • Specialized
7 4.1

An automatic throat reaction that makes you feel like vomiting

A quick movement your body makes without thinking, for example pulling your hand from something hot

conditioned reflex
  • Specialized
1 5.3

An automatic response learned when a neutral sound or sign is repeatedly paired with something that naturally causes it

Babinski reflex
  • Specialized
1 6.8

Toes move up when the sole is touched, normal in babies but may show nerve damage in adults

knee-jerk reflex
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A sudden automatic kick of the lower leg when the tendon below the kneecap is tapped

light reflex
  • Specialized
1 5.3

An automatic change that makes the pupil smaller in bright light or after some drugs

reflex arc
  • Specialized
1 7.0

A path of nerve cells that sends quick signals for body reactions, like the knee-jerk

A camera that lets you see and focus exactly what the lens shows before you take a photo

patellar reflex
  • Specialized
1 6.0

A quick kick of the lower leg after a tap below the kneecap

pilomotor reflex
  • Specialized
1 7.7

An automatic body reaction that makes hairs stand up when you are cold, scared, or your skin is irritated

conditional reflex
  • Specialized
6.5

An automatic learned reaction to a signal after repeated practice, for example a dog drooling at a bell

6.7

An automatic body signal that makes you want to push out poo when your bottom is full

accommodation reflex
  • Specialized
6.5

The eye automatically changes the lens shape to focus on near and far objects

acquired reflex
  • Specialized
6.5

A learned automatic response to a signal, for example salivating at a bell

micturition reflex
  • Specialized
8.7

Automatic body action that makes you empty your bladder when it is full

monosynaptic reflex
  • Specialized
7.6

A fast automatic body response using one connection between the nerve that senses and the nerve that moves

Moro reflex
  • Specialized
7.2

A new baby stretches the arms and pulls the legs in after a sudden loud noise or movement

inborn reflex
  • Specialized
3.5

An automatic action a baby does without learning

innate reflex
  • Specialized
4.1

An automatic action your body makes without being taught

instinctive reflex
  • Specialized
4.0

An automatic body response to a touch or sound that happens without thinking

myotactic reflex
  • Specialized
8.8

A muscle tightens when its tendon is stretched to help keep the body upright

pupillary reflex
  • Specialized
7.0

An automatic narrowing of the pupil in bright light or after some medicines

rectal reflex
  • Specialized
6.7

A natural body response when stool in the rectum makes you want to use the toilet

reflex angle
  • Specialized
5.8

An angle larger than 180 degrees but smaller than 360 degrees

reflex epilepsy
  • Specialized
6.8

A condition that causes seizures when you see flashing lights or hear loud sounds

An automatic action your body makes without thinking when something touches or moves near you

rooting reflex
  • Specialized
6.4

An automatic movement when someone touches a baby's cheek that makes them turn and open their mouth

pharyngeal reflex
  • Specialized
8.8

A quick reaction that makes you retch or gag when the back of the throat is touched

plantar reflex
  • Specialized
7.1

An automatic movement where the toes bend when the sole of the foot is stroked firmly, usually seen in adults

suckling reflex
  • Specialized
5.9

An automatic movement in newborn animals like human babies that makes them find the mother's nipple and take milk

startle reflex
  • Specialized
5.1

A baby's quick arm and leg movement after a loud noise

stretch reflex
  • Specialized
6.5

An automatic muscle tightening that happens when a muscle is pulled

unconditioned reflex
  • Specialized
6.5

An automatic body response to a signal without learning

How Automatic

instinctive reflex
  • Specialized
4.0
reflex
54 3.7
learned response
  • Specialized
1 5.7

Surface Forms

reflex singular
reflexes plural

Morphology

reflex = flex (opaque) = re + flex

The prefix 're-' typically means 'again' or 'back', but in 'reflex', it doesn't follow the standard semantic logic.

Etymology

Reflex comes from the Latin parts re- 'back' and flectere 'to bend'. Like flex (to bend), a reflex is an automatic, natural response that happens without thinking, as when your body pulls back or moves after a touch or surprise.