as in reflex
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Recent Examples of Pavlovian
After a decade, my body reacts in a Pavlovian way to its stimuli, the scroll of torsos, the dopamine of a red dot notification, a three-toned beep that perks you up in your chair.
—
Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 11 Feb. 2025
Nostalgia plays a part too, of course, as those of us who came of age in the VHS era have an almost Pavlovian response to the look and feel of those chunky black tapes.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 31 Jan. 2025
Those who follow the teachings of Warren Buffett know only to invest via index funds in a Pavlovian fashion.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2024
Every other outcome only reinforces his Pavlovian impulse to belittle, attack and dominate.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 7 May 2024
Hopefully, though, no one will subsequently suffer from a Pavlovian pee.
—Sarah Nechamkin, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2024
Just as red-leather booths and dark oak paneling trigger the Pavlovian expectation of a frigid martini and a glistening rib-eye, intimate counters from Omaha to Austin to Chicago to Denver promise a multicourse procession of jewel-like fish flown overnight from Japan.
—Brett Anderson, New York Times, 21 May 2024
The regularity of her calls transformed me into a Pavlovian dog.
—Cheryl Maguire, Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2024
Byredo Tree House Candle The smell of this candle has a Pavlovian effect on me.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 15 Feb. 2024
Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 11 Feb. 2025
Nostalgia plays a part too, of course, as those of us who came of age in the VHS era have an almost Pavlovian response to the look and feel of those chunky black tapes.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 31 Jan. 2025
Those who follow the teachings of Warren Buffett know only to invest via index funds in a Pavlovian fashion.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2024
Every other outcome only reinforces his Pavlovian impulse to belittle, attack and dominate.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 7 May 2024
Hopefully, though, no one will subsequently suffer from a Pavlovian pee.
—Sarah Nechamkin, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2024
Just as red-leather booths and dark oak paneling trigger the Pavlovian expectation of a frigid martini and a glistening rib-eye, intimate counters from Omaha to Austin to Chicago to Denver promise a multicourse procession of jewel-like fish flown overnight from Japan.
—Brett Anderson, New York Times, 21 May 2024
The regularity of her calls transformed me into a Pavlovian dog.
—Cheryl Maguire, Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2024
Byredo Tree House Candle The smell of this candle has a Pavlovian effect on me.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 15 Feb. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Pavlovian
Adjective
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Common triggers include dehydration from illness, vasovagal syncope—a reflex response to nausea or pain—abnormal heart rhythms, and heart valve conditions such as aortic stenosis.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
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The reflex reaction might well be, What exactly have the governor and fellow Democrats been doing for the previous six years?—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Perhaps her subconscious is rebelling, realizing she’s been crossing too many moral and ethical lines.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
6 Feb. 2025
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This celestial synergy is shedding light on the hidden gems that swirl through your subconscious, Pisces.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In the second scene, Hiccup disastrously attempts to tame a wild dragon during his test of courage in the arena, and in the third scene, we are treated to the thrilling re-enactment of Hiccup’s first ride atop Toothless, which takes on a more immersive and visceral power in live-action.—
Bill Desowitz,
IndieWire,
12 Feb. 2025
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Symbiosis will combine the starkness of a classic and visceral body horror with the intimacy and raw emotion of chamber drama.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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As the protagonist Ben in Night of the Living Dead (1968), Duane Jones unveiled a distinct facet of pre-conditioned Black martyrdom.—
Malik Peay,
Rolling Stone,
7 Feb. 2023
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Is the show of regret a conditioned response associated with receiving a less severe punishment?—
Charlotte Hu,
Discover Magazine,
31 July 2011
Adjective
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The song followed years of subliminal shots between Drake and Lamar, leading the West Coast rapper to reignite the long-brewing rivalry.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA TODAY,
7 Feb. 2025
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And there’s so much subliminal messaging even within the choreography.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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These tools are shifting finance teams from reactive cost management to proactive, strategic partners in growth.—
Sasha Vyash,
Forbes,
18 Feb. 2025
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Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, DE/OLB, Penn State — No, this isn't a reactive move after Myles Garrett's trade request.—
Jim Reineking,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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An unidentified woman in her 70s was found unconscious in the back seat behind the driver following the crash.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
14 Feb. 2025
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On the SmackDown episode that aired on November 24, Cargill was found unconscious, bloodied, and left on the hood of a car.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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If passed, Maryland can use automatic money returns for claims under $5,000.—
Scott Taylor,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2025
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Not all employees have an automatic right to appeal.—
Medora Lee,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near Pavlovian
Cite this Entry
“Pavlovian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Pavlovian. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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