reflect

1
as in to mirror
to reproduce or show (an exact likeness) as a mirror would her face was reflected in the waters of the still pond

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word reflect different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of reflect are cogitate, deliberate, reason, speculate, and think. While all these words mean "to use one's powers of conception, judgment, or inference," reflect suggests unhurried consideration of something recalled to the mind.

reflecting on fifty years of married life

Where would cogitate be a reasonable alternative to reflect?

While the synonyms cogitate and reflect are close in meaning, cogitate implies deep or intent thinking.

cogitated on the mysteries of nature

When is it sensible to use deliberate instead of reflect?

While in some cases nearly identical to reflect, deliberate suggests slow or careful reasoning before forming an opinion or reaching a conclusion or decision.

the jury deliberated for five hours

In what contexts can reason take the place of reflect?

The words reason and reflect can be used in similar contexts, but reason stresses consecutive logical thinking.

able to reason brilliantly in debate

When might speculate be a better fit than reflect?

The meanings of speculate and reflect largely overlap; however, speculate implies reasoning about things theoretical or problematic.

speculated on the fate of the lost explorers

When could think be used to replace reflect?

In some situations, the words think and reflect are roughly equivalent. However, think is general and may apply to any mental activity, but used alone often suggests attainment of clear ideas or conclusions.

teaches students how to think

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of reflect This physical awkwardness reflects the rookie’s relative youth. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2025 This was reflected in the election of directors at the 2025 Annual Meeting, where three directors received a large number of withhold votes including Tripadvisor chairman and former CEO of Liberty Media Gregory Maffei, who received over 60% withhold votes. Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 12 July 2025 The lineup of this year’s Crystal Globe Competition was similarly strong, a fact reflected in the sharing out of the awards; all the word-of-mouth titles seemed to win something, which isn’t always the case. Damon Wise, Deadline, 12 July 2025 As for consumer sentiment on artificial dyes, Mars' five-year old data may no longer reflect the reality, Hari said. Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 12 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for reflect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reflect
Verb
  • The money collected from levies will be mirrored by a state contribution, with the additional revenue from this new model expected to increase the Czech Audiovisual Fund’s budget substantially and boost the funding available for domestic Czech projects and international contributions.
    Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 11 July 2025
  • This growth is mirrored in the rise of digital ecosystems.
    Roman Lavrentev, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Buc-ee’s spokesperson Crissy Gonzales declined to comment.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 11 July 2025
  • Tottenham declined to comment when approached by The Athletic.
    Paul Taylor, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Judge William Young remarked that this was a huge workload, to which Hatch responded that this was why the Tiger Team was created.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2025
  • One expert associated with RMS Titanic, Inc. remarked that outer space was more hospitable and easier to reach.
    Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • However the investigators noted that their work was limited by inadequate record-keeping at prisons.
    Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 14 July 2025
  • Presenter Viren Kedia noted that the app is meant to help teens to be able to do things like invest, and budget, and understand taxes.
    John Werner, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • What a $1 Million Lifetime Wage Gap Looks Like Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, observed each July, marks how far into the year this demographic must work to match what white men earned the year before.
    Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • Fourteen other states also observe multiple time zones.
    Joyce Orlando, The Tennessean, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • The case against Severance-Lopez, Yard said, hinges on a single email to Zhang containing a W-9 tax form.
    Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 July 2025
  • An adult was last seen on a paddleboard near the swim beach Monday afternoon, officials said.
    Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 8 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reflect. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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