reflect
verb
re·flect ri-ˈflekt 
reflected; reflecting; reflects
transitive verb
1
: to prevent passage of and cause to change direction
a mirror reflects light
2
: to give back or exhibit as an image, likeness, or outline : mirror
the clouds were reflected in the water
3
: to bring or cast as a result
his attitude reflects little credit on his judgment
4
: to make manifest or apparent : show
the painting reflects his artistic vision
the pulse reflects the condition of the heart
5
: realize, consider
6
: to bend or fold back
7
archaic : to turn into or away from a course : deflect
intransitive verb
1
: to throw back light or sound
2
a
: to think quietly and calmly
b
: to express a thought or opinion resulting from reflection
3
a
: to tend to bring reproach or discredit
an investigation that reflects on all the members of the department
b
: to bring about a specified appearance or characterization
an act which reflects well on her
c
: to have a bearing or influence
Synonyms
- image
- mirror
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The old church is reflected in the glass exterior of the skyscraper. Her book clearly reflects her beliefs. Where you learned a language is reflected in your accent.
Recent Examples on the Web Show continues 121 prints by 31 contemporary Czech printmakers who use their art as a voice to reflect on social and cultural reality. 
Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 12 Sep. 2022 Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was one of the first world leaders to reflect on the queen's death. Mike Memoli, NBC News, 9 Sep. 2022 The host makes a point to tell each artist how much their work means to him and the moviegoing public at large, which encourages the guests to thoughtfully reflect on the legacy of their efforts. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2022 During that period, Lukich was separated from his family for four months, a painful time that made the director reflect on his own upbringing. Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 5 Sep. 2022 And his death will not be treated as an opportunity to reflect on the weaknesses of the Soviet system, or the glow of Democracy. Brigid Kennedy, The Week, 5 Sep. 2022 The Clueless actress took a moment to reflect on TikTok Wednesday (Aug. 31) about his tragic passing. Heran Mamo, Billboard, 1 Sep. 2022 At Poetsema's home base in Roosendaal, Netherlands, commandos hosted a moment of silence and an quiet area was established for people to reflect on the loss, according to a news release from the country's department of defense. The Indianapolis Star, 31 Aug. 2022 Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Vanessa Beasley paused to reflect on the road that led to her new top-floor office — with its picture-perfect San Antonio skyline view — in Trinity University’s Northrup Hall. Danya Perez, San Antonio Express-News, 29 Aug. 2022 See More
Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 12 Sep. 2022 Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was one of the first world leaders to reflect on the queen's death. Mike Memoli, NBC News, 9 Sep. 2022 The host makes a point to tell each artist how much their work means to him and the moviegoing public at large, which encourages the guests to thoughtfully reflect on the legacy of their efforts. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2022 During that period, Lukich was separated from his family for four months, a painful time that made the director reflect on his own upbringing. Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 5 Sep. 2022 And his death will not be treated as an opportunity to reflect on the weaknesses of the Soviet system, or the glow of Democracy. Brigid Kennedy, The Week, 5 Sep. 2022 The Clueless actress took a moment to reflect on TikTok Wednesday (Aug. 31) about his tragic passing. Heran Mamo, Billboard, 1 Sep. 2022 At Poetsema's home base in Roosendaal, Netherlands, commandos hosted a moment of silence and an quiet area was established for people to reflect on the loss, according to a news release from the country's department of defense. The Indianapolis Star, 31 Aug. 2022 Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Vanessa Beasley paused to reflect on the road that led to her new top-floor office — with its picture-perfect San Antonio skyline view — in Trinity University’s Northrup Hall. Danya Perez, San Antonio Express-News, 29 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin reflectere to bend back, from re- + flectere to bend
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 7
Phrases Containing reflect
Kids Definition
reflect
verb
re·flect ri-ˈflekt
reflected; reflecting
1
: to bend or throw back (waves of light, sound, or heat)
A polished surface reflects light.
2
: to give back an image or likeness of in the manner of a mirror
The clouds were reflected in the water.
3
: to make known
The book reflects her beliefs.
4
: to cause to be thought of in a specified way or in a bad way
Your poor behavior reflects on the whole class.
5
: to think seriously and carefully about
I reflected on the problem.
Medical Definition
reflect
transitive verb
re·flect ri-ˈflekt
1
: to bend or fold back : impart a backward curve, bend, or fold to
2
: to push or lay aside (as tissue or an organ) during surgery in order to gain access to the part to be operated on
the pleura were reflected and later closed over the stump
intransitive verb
: to throw back light or sound : return rays, beams, or waves
reflected
verb
1
as in mirrored
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
Relevance
- mirrored
- reproduced
- copied
- imitated
- replicated
- imaged
- repeated
- cloned
- duplicated
- reduplicated
2
as in remarked
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
- remarked
- commented
- noted
- observed
- opined
- said
- weighed in
- editorialized
- stated
- commentated
- expressed
- spoke
- allowed
- articulated
- speculated
- surmised
- verbalized
- uttered
- vocalized
- talked
- told
- conjectured
- guessed
- supposed
- daresaid