Thesaurus results for REFLECT

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

reflect

verb

ri-ˈflekt

Definition of reflect

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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as in to comment

to make a statement of one's opinion reflected on the huge influence that the electronic media have on our national elections

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 The bottom-barrel sentiment also reflects a buildup of workers having to endure six years filled with crises, including a global pandemic, Daniel Zhao, chief economist at Glassdoor said at the time of the report’s release in late September. — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026 Democratic strategists say the messaging reflects the sentiment of voters. — Jill Colvin, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Instead, controls should reflect workload maturity and criticality. — Pritam Debnath, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 It’s reflected in the visuals of the series, which are as unimaginative as the AI actor renders are dead and inexpressive even before they’re shot through with Tokugawa-era arrows. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reflect

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reflect

Verb

The optimistic view hinges on how much AI mirrors the smartphone boom, according to Jitesh Ubrani, who covers consumer tech for market research firm The International Data Corporation.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
Halley is expected to return in the summer of 2061, in circumstances that will largely mirror those of 1986 — but with one crucial difference.

— Joe Rao, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of mirror

Verb

Meta declined to comment on whether Muse could still offer financial assistance if more banks move further to prevent AI agents from consumer accounts.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026
His office declined to comment when asked about Overton’s involvement in drafting the scientific justification document.

— David Lim, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of comment

Verb

Critics point to remarks Netanyahu allegedly made at a 2019 Likud Party meeting.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
When one person remarks that Holmes may be a victim of Stockholm Syndrome under Evans, viewers can only wonder if the same can be said for Fielder and Holmes.

— David Mack, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of remark

Verb

Xuan’s attorney, Mitchell Krems, previously noted his client had never been convicted of a crime.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
But the agents deny that claim in the lawsuit, noting that that they were fired without any investigation, notice or hearing.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of note

Verb

The family arrived in style in the royal family’s Rolls-Royce to observe the annual military parade in Madrid from the grandstand on Paseo del Prado boulevard.

— Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
In observing the data, the chart analyst wrote that the median time remaining before a cycle reached its peak was 13 months, which suggests 2027 could be the final leg of the run.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of observe

Verb

After the premiere the other day, [Jones] says, ‘Thanks for paying attention to the character Waylon, because most people wouldn’t.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
The company said its team can currently build a robot in about a day, with a target of reducing the process to roughly an hour next year.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of say

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refixing

reflect

reflected

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“Reflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reflect. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of reflect

verb

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