reflect

[ ri-flekt ]

/ rɪˈflɛkt /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: reflect / reflected / reflecting / reflects on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to cast back (light, heat, sound, etc.) from a surface: The mirror reflected the light onto the wall.

to give back or show an image of; mirror.

(of an act or its result) to serve to cast or bring (credit, discredit, etc.) on its performer.

to reproduce; show: followers reflecting the views of the leader.

to throw or cast back; cause to return or rebound: Her bitterness reflects gloom on all her family.

verb (used without object)

to be turned or cast back, as light.

to cast back light, heat, etc.

to be reflected or mirrored.

to give back or show an image.

to think, ponder, or meditate: to reflect on one's virtues and faults.

to serve or tend to bring reproach or discredit by association: His crimes reflected on the whole community.

to serve to give a particular aspect or impression: The test reflects well on your abilities.

OTHER WORDS FOR reflect

4 manifest.

6 rebound.

10 ruminate, deliberate, muse, consider, cogitate, contemplate.

See synonyms for reflect on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Question 1 of 8

Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of reflect

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English reflecten, from Latin reflectere “to bend back,” equivalent to re-re- + flectere “to bend”

synonym study for reflect

10. See study.

OTHER WORDS FROM reflect

re·flect·ed·ly, adverbre·flect·ed·ness, nounre·flect·i·bil·i·ty, nounre·flect·i·ble, adjective

re·flect·ing·ly, adverbin·ter·re·flect, verbmis·re·flect, verbnon·re·flect·ed, adjectivenon·re·flect·ing, adjectivewell-re·flect·ed, adjective

Words nearby reflect

refit, refl., reflag, reflate, reflation, reflect, reflectance, reflected plan, reflecting telescope, reflection, reflection coefficient

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use reflect in a sentence

“It was pretty crazy how it all came about,” he said this week, reflecting on his rapid rise.
Matthew Hoppe was a little-known American soccer player — until he reached the Bundesliga|Steven Goff|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
Tiffany Shackelford had a unique, fun style that her friends and family members said reflected her bright personality, sense of humor and love of helping others to connect.
Tiffany Shackelford, 46, was known as a unique, fun ‘force’ to friends, family|Dana Hedgpeth|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
If my personality profile reflected the traits most specific to people who are successful in the role, I’d advance to the next hiring stage.
Auditors are testing hiring algorithms for bias, but there’s no easy fix|Amy Nordrum|February 11, 2021|MIT Technology Review
“The time is right to reimagine our entire game day experience, to reinvent it in a way that reflects our modern identity and aligns with what today’s fan seeks,” team president Jason Wright said in a news release.
Former cheerleaders settle with Washington Football Team as program’s future is in doubt|Beth Reinhard|February 10, 2021|Washington Post

This means the agency may be logging debts from companies that no longer exist or have accounts on their books that do not accurately reflect the amount due.
Utility Companies Owe Millions to This State Regulatory Agency. The Problem? The Agency Can’t Track What It’s Owed.|by Scott Morris, Bay City News Foundation|February 10, 2021|ProPublica
They just reflect the range of breeds that were used to create the Heck cattle in the first instance.
‘Nazi Cows’ Tried to Kill British Farmer|Tom Sykes|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But it is not only small airlines that reflect the laxity of the system.
Who Will Get AsiaAir 8501’s Black Boxes?|Clive Irving|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This does not reflect lack of interest in a better environment.
Time to Bring Back the Truman Democrats|Joel Kotkin|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In many ways these attitudes reflect the increasingly urban-centric focus of the party.
Time to Bring Back the Truman Democrats|Joel Kotkin|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Note: This piece was updated to reflect that Mrs. Landingham died while Aaron Sorkin was still writing The West Wing.
'The Newsroom' Ended As It Began: Weird, Controversial, and Noble|Kevin Fallon|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was too drowsy to hold the thought more than a moment in his mind, much less to reflect upon it.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
It goes far to reconciling me to being a woman when I reflect that I am thus in no danger of ever marrying one.
Pearls of Thought|Maturin M. Ballou
And as bronze reflects the light, her mentality seemed to reflect all the cold lights in her nature.
Bella Donna|Robert Hichens
Gwynne made a wry face as he sat down before the dressing-table that he might reflect his visage while he brushed his hair.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
This accident led his parents to reflect upon the childs incurable tendency and consider the question of his musical education.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky

British Dictionary definitions for reflect

reflect

/ (rɪˈflɛkt) /

verb

to undergo or cause to undergo a process in which light, other electromagnetic radiation, sound, particles, etc, are thrown back after impinging on a surface

(of a mirror, etc) to form an image of (something) by reflection

(tr) to show or expresshis tactics reflect his desire for power

(tr) to bring as a consequencethe success of the project reflected great credit on all the staff

(intr ; foll by on or upon) to cause to be regarded in a specified wayher behaviour reflects well on her

(intr ; foll by on or upon) to cast dishonour, discredit, etc (on)his conduct reflects on his parents

(intr usually foll by on) to think, meditate, or ponder

Word Origin for reflect

C15: from Latin reflectere to bend back, from re- + flectere to bend; see flex

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for reflect

reflect

[ rĭ-flĕkt′ ]

To bend back.

To throw or bend back light, heat, or sound from a surface.

To think seriously.

To send back a motor impulse in response to a sensory stimulus.

reflect

OTHER WORDS FOR reflect

Origin of reflect

synonym study for reflect

OTHER WORDS FROM reflect

Words nearby reflect

Words related to reflect

How to use reflect in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for reflect

Word Origin for reflect

Medical definitions for reflect