reflexive
1 of 2adjective
re·flex·ive ri-ˈflek-siv 
1
a
: directed or turned back on itself
also : overtly and usually ironically reflecting conventions of genre or form
a reflexive novel
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
reflexively adverb
reflexiveness noun
reflexivity
ˌrē-ˌflek-ˈsi-və-tē
noun ri-
reflexive
2 of 2noun
: reflexive pronoun
Example Sentences
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
Nicole Asbury, Washington Post, 6 July 2022 There are several reasons for this overcorrection: an allergy to popular literature, reflexive misogyny, and, perhaps most important, the enduring influence of literary modernism. Maggie Doherty, The New Yorker, 9 May 2022 The problem is the reflexive assumption that Depp is being wronged, along with the gleeful way social media is harassing the woman who accused him of violence. NBC News, 5 May 2022 The Justice Department also has a reflexive objection to all prisoner exchanges, an argument that the White House has set aside in this case. Louise Radnofsky, WSJ, 2 Aug. 2022 Recreating the existing conference structure is a reflexive option for hosts. Yec, Forbes, 30 June 2022 Players that create custom pronouns will have to input different forms, including subjective, objective, possessive dependent, possessive independent and reflexive. Alyse Stanley, Washington Post, 24 May 2022 Stodola’s careful critique of the invasive species that is the luxury resort helped clarify my beach-hater’s reflexive outrage. Lauren Groff, The Atlantic, 21 June 2022 The reflexive response is to hide mistakes or point fingers elsewhere. Ron Carucci, Forbes, 4 June 2022 See More
Adjective
Montgomery County needs school board members who will push back on reflexive school closures not backed by the science. Nicole Asbury, Washington Post, 6 July 2022 There are several reasons for this overcorrection: an allergy to popular literature, reflexive misogyny, and, perhaps most important, the enduring influence of literary modernism. Maggie Doherty, The New Yorker, 9 May 2022 The problem is the reflexive assumption that Depp is being wronged, along with the gleeful way social media is harassing the woman who accused him of violence. NBC News, 5 May 2022 The Justice Department also has a reflexive objection to all prisoner exchanges, an argument that the White House has set aside in this case. Louise Radnofsky, WSJ, 2 Aug. 2022 Recreating the existing conference structure is a reflexive option for hosts. Yec, Forbes, 30 June 2022 Players that create custom pronouns will have to input different forms, including subjective, objective, possessive dependent, possessive independent and reflexive. Alyse Stanley, Washington Post, 24 May 2022 Stodola’s careful critique of the invasive species that is the luxury resort helped clarify my beach-hater’s reflexive outrage. Lauren Groff, The Atlantic, 21 June 2022 The reflexive response is to hide mistakes or point fingers elsewhere. Ron Carucci, Forbes, 4 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Medieval Latin reflexivus, from Latin reflexus
First Known Use
Adjective
1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1b
Noun
1866, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing 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