reflected; reflecting; reflects
1
: to block and redirect (light, sound, etc.)
A mirror reflects light.
2
: to give back or exhibit (something or someone) as an image, likeness, or outline : mirror
The clouds were reflected in the water.
3
: to cause (something, such as honor or credit) to be attributed or associated
—used with on or upon
His attitude reflects little credit on his judgment.
4
: to make (something) manifest or apparent : show
The painting reflects her artistic vision.
His restless journeying is reflected in his accent, which hovers somewhere above Boston, New Zealand and Australia …—
Nick Galvin
5
6
: to bend or fold (something) back
The skin of the dorsum of the foot was removed and fascia reflected to expose the tendons …—J. S. Luckrajh et al.
7
archaic
: to turn (something) into or away from a course : deflect
1
a
: to throw back light or sound
A highly polished mirror reflects better than a dull one.
b
: to be thrown back from a surface
—used of light, sound, etc. —usually used with off or from
The sunlight reflected off of the river.
Owing to the abundance of light reflected from the white and glittering surface, no shadows were cast on any part …—Charles Darwin
… the measure of sound reflected from the deep …—Helen Scales
2
a
: to think quietly and calmly
She sat quietly and reflected for a while.
Take time to reflect before making a decision.
—often used with on or uponAfterwards, he reflected on the experience.
b
: to express a thought or opinion resulting from reflection (see reflection sense 7)
—often used with on or upon
listened to him reflect on the day's events
Things took a poignant turn, however, when they delivered an emotional speech reflecting on their recent strides toward living authentically as a genderqueer and nonbinary person.—Curtis M. Wong
3
a
: to cause something or someone to be thought of in a specified way
—usually used with on or upon
In a tourist destination …, anything unsightly, anything unattractive, reflects badly on the whole community.—Steven Mayer
Nebraska Deputy Education Commissioner Deborah Frison said earning a perfect score reflects well on both the students themselves and their support system.—Erin Bamer
b
: to tend to bring reproach or discredit
—usually used with on or upon
"… They said that it was sheer rudeness not to ask her, and that it reflected on us all …"—Lucy Maud Montgomery
Some leaders claim that until they shout, their team doesn't take them seriously, but … this reflects more on the leader than the led.—Abiola Salami
c
archaic
: to have a bearing or influence
This is the atmosphere I have to picture; the condition of the times as it reflected on the growth of the church, and the condition of the church as it reflected on the growth of civilization in this city.—William Denison Lyman
4
: to become mirrored : to produce a mirrorlike image
—usually used with in or on
The moon reflected on the water.
As you stand below and look up, you see this dramatic pie-slice of sky reflecting in the glassy facades on either side of the notch.—Steven Litt
Examples of reflect in a Sentence
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
The advance of Syria’s rebels, led by the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), reflects the degradation not of Russian attention but of the multinational ground forces supporting the regime of Bashar al-Assad.
—Nicole Grajewski, The Atlantic, 3 Dec. 2024
In a 60 Minutes interview released on Sunday, Dec. 1, the Oscar winner, 49, reflected on her career and fought back tears at one point.
—Shyla Watson, People.com, 3 Dec. 2024
The third heart sound reflects blood striking the wall of a stretched or enlarged ventricle (one of the heart's lower chambers).
—Rafle Fernandez, Verywell Health, 2 Dec. 2024
The colours and patterns on the kites often reflect elements of local spirituality and beliefs, such as symbols of protection or a connection with the sky and spirits.
—Vogue, 2 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for reflect 
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.
Dictionary Entries Near reflect
Cite this Entry
“Reflect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reflect. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
reflect
verb
re·flect
ri-ˈflekt 
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 as if by a mirror
3
: to bring as a result
4
: to cast disapproval or blame
our bad conduct reflects upon our training
5
: to think seriously and carefully : meditate
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
: to throw back light or sound : return rays, beams, or waves
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share