reflexively
In knee-jerk fashion
Reflexively describes actions done automatically, without conscious thought or deliberation: She reflexively flinched at the loud noise.
The word derives from reflex—an involuntary response.
It can also mean self-referentially, turning back on itself: The novel reflexively comments on its own construction.
In grammar, reflexively describes verbs where subject and object are the same: He hurt himself.
By innate impulse
- involuntarilyWithout deliberate intent
- unconsciouslyWithout being aware
- mechanicallyDone by machine action
- habituallyAs regular practice
unthinkingly · spontaneously · impulsively · intuitively · reactively · innately · viscerally · knee-jerk
With uncomfortable awareness
- contemplativelyIn a reflective manner
- introspectivelyWith self-examination
- recursivelyBy self-reference repeatedly
- inwardlyWithin one's mind
Noun's grammatical replacement
- oneselfOne's own person
- himselfReflexive male pronoun
- herselfFeminine reflexive pronoun
- itselfReflexive neuter pronoun
themselves · myself · yourself · ourselves · verb · transitive · intransitive · subject
Involuntary recoil response
- wincingSlight pained recoil
- blinkingEyelid opening and closing
- recoilingJerking backward in reaction
- jerkingAbrupt, spasmodic movement
twitching · startling · ducking · gasping · shuddering · cringing · withdrawing · contracting
instinctively
By innate impulse
- involuntarilyWithout deliberate intent
- unconsciouslyWithout being aware
- mechanicallyDone by machine action
habitually · unthinkingly · spontaneously · impulsively · intuitively · reactively · innately · viscerally · knee-jerk · without thinking
self-consciously
With uncomfortable awareness
- contemplativelyIn a reflective manner
- introspectivelyWith self-examination
- recursivelyBy self-reference repeatedly
pronoun
Noun's grammatical replacement
itself · themselves · myself · yourself · ourselves · verb · transitive · intransitive · subject · object
flinching
Involuntary recoil response
jerking · twitching · startling · ducking · gasping · shuddering · cringing · withdrawing · contracting · spasming
- autopilot modeautopilot, automatic, unconscious, subconscious, instinctively
- mental adverbsmentally, cognitively, consciously, unconsciously, subconsciously
- without intentunintentionally, inadvertently, accidentally, unwittingly, unconsciously
reflexivelydeliberately
Done with intention
intentionally · consciously · purposefully · willfully · by design
reflexivelythoughtfully
With careful consideration
reflectively · considerately · analytically · mindfully · carefully
reflexivelyslowly
At reduced speed
measuredly · unhurriedly · gradually · cautiously · carefully
- reflexive pronounsWords indicating same subject-object
- reflexive actionInvoluntary automatic response