Reflexive

Quick meaning: Reflexive is an adjective meaning (grammar) Referring back to the subject, or having an object equal to the subject.

Meaning

(grammar) Referring back to the subject, or having an object equal to the subject.

More Meanings

1. Of or resulting from a reflex.
2. (figurative) Producing immediate response, spontaneous.
3. (politics) Producing or provoking a reciprocal response.
4. Synonym of reflective.
5. (grammar) A reflexive pronoun.
6. (grammar) A reflexive verb.
7. (mathematics) Of a relation R on a set S, such that xRx for all members x of S (that is, the relation holds between any element of the set and itself).

Example Sentences

a reflexive dislike

The electric shock elicited an automatic and reflexive response from him.

"Equals" is a reflexive relation, as it holds for all possible x; "not less" is non-reflexive because it is true only for some x and y, "unequal" is irreflexive, as it never holds between x and itself.

Word Forms

• reflexives

Synonyms for reflexive

Depending on context, synonyms include reflective, involuntary, reflex, automatic, backward.

Antonyms for reflexive

Common opposites include irreflexive, non-reflexive, nonreflexive, contemplative, considered.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include reflex, automatic, backward, involuntary, mutual, reciprocal.

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