What does reflexively mean?
Reflexively is an adverb describing an action performed automatically, instinctively, and without conscious thought or deliberate choice. When someone flinches at a loud noise, reaches to catch a falling glass, or answers a greeting before thinking, they act reflexively. The word draws on the idea of a reflex, a rapid involuntary response triggered by a stimulus, and it is used both literally in physiology and figuratively in everyday speech. In figurative use it can carry a faint note of criticism, suggesting a habitual or knee-jerk reaction, as when a commentator says a politician reflexively opposes every proposal from the other side. It also has a narrower grammatical sense, meaning in a manner that turns back on the subject, as in reflexive pronouns such as myself. Because it neatly captures the contrast between instinct and deliberation, reflexively is a handy word for writers who want to describe behaviour that happens before reasoning has a chance to catch up. It is neutral in register and suits both casual and formal writing.
adverbIn an automatic, instinctive way, without conscious thought or deliberation. In a physiological sense, by means of a reflex action.
- In an automatic, instinctive manner, without conscious thought or deliberation.
- By way of a physiological reflex action.
- In grammar, in a way that refers back to the subject, as with a reflexive pronoun or verb.
"When the ball flew toward her face, she reflexively raised a hand to block it."
"He reflexively apologized, even though the spilled coffee was not his fault."
"The pupil constricts reflexively when bright light hits the eye."
"Hearing her name called, she turned her head reflexively before she even recognized the voice."
Reflexively is almost the opposite of reflectively: one means acting without thinking, the other means thinking carefully, yet both come from the Latin idea of bending back.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reflexively come from?
Reflexively is formed from the adjective reflexive plus the adverbial suffix -ly. Reflexive derives from the Latin reflexus, the past participle of reflectere, meaning to bend back, from re- (back) and flectere (to bend). The word entered English by way of medieval Latin and French, and the sense of an automatic bodily response developed alongside the scientific use of reflex in later centuries.
Related word forms
How reflexively is actually used
Reflexively is neutral to slightly formal and appears in both everyday and technical writing. It often carries a mild suggestion that a response is habitual or unexamined, and in commentary on politics or media it can imply a knee-jerk reaction lacking careful thought. The grammatical sense is specialised and found mainly in linguistic discussion.
Easily confused with reflexively
Reflectively means in a thoughtful, contemplative manner, whereas reflexively means automatically and without thought.
Reflexly is a rare technical term for acting by reflex action, while reflexively is the far more common general word for automatic, unthinking behaviour.