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

Examples 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 Additionally, Berkshire Hathaway’s decision could also reflect the overall market environment, according to Aswath Damodaran, a professor of finance at NYU Stern School of Business. John Towfighi, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024 Google’s revenues of $88.3 billion in Q3 reflected a 15% y-o-y gain. Trefis Team, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 In her November 2024 letter, editor in chief Jamila Robinson reflects on how to make the holiday meaningful. Jamila Robinson, Bon Appétit, 5 Nov. 2024 The senator then reflected on a weekend of campaigning throughout the Grand Canyon State, suggesting momentum was boosted for the vice president — despite polls showing former President Trump with a slight edge in the state. Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for reflect 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reflect
Verb
  • Vice President Kamala Harris vs. Trump mirrored Joe Biden vs. Trump in 2020 in Cincinnati, Hamilton County and the surrounding counties.
    Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2024
  • Early results showed a nearly 3-to-1 margin of support and by the time The Associated Press called the race just before 9 p.m. Tuesday, the initiative was mirroring its polling, with 70% yes votes.
    Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • TikTok declined to comment, while Meta, Alphabet and X did not respond to requests for comment.
    Reuters, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
  • County officials declined to comment on the reason for her absence, and said other staff is filling in.
    Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Political analysts suggest Hinchcliffe's Puerto Rico remarks could similarly impact Trump's standing in key swing states like Pennsylvania.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
  • The event was billed as an economic pitch to New Yorkers, but that message was drowned out by a circus of crude and at times, flat-out racist, remarks from some of the introductory speakers.
    Rebecca Picciotto, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Buddy Hield, Moore noted, has thrived in Golden State after falling out of the 76ers’ rotation.
    Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
  • Lowering corporate income taxes has never actually trickled down to wage earners, or even investment in new factories, as the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities noted in a recent study.
    Peter Green, Quartz, 9 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Those findings, published this week in Biology Letters, suggest vampire bats may have evolved to develop a unique metabolism typically observed in blood-sucking insects.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Her dear mother, who was a teacher, observed that children believed that when ladies grew old, their hair turned honey blond.
    Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • In August, the FBI reviewed credit card statements associated with Williams that showed payment at a parking near a Washington metro station, about a 10-minute ride from the Capitol area, that was made on Jan. 6, 2021, the statements of facts says.
    Phil Helsel, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024
  • The National Retail Federation says that import surcharges could soar to 50% for everything from jeans to couches.
    Melvin Backman, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near reflect

Cite this Entry

“Reflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reflect. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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