KNEE-JERK Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

knee-jerk

adjective

ˈnē-ˌjərk

Definition of knee-jerk

as in automatic

done instantly and without conscious thought or decision a colleague known for her knee-jerk rejection of any proposal that she didn't originate

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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.

Recent Examples of knee-jerk No matter the issue or how beneficial to the state or country, the knee-jerk reaction of the Sun Sentinel is to reject it out of hand. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 June 2026 People’s knee-jerk reaction to seeing death in nature is often not positive. — John Kominoski, The Conversation, 10 June 2026 In a world of knee-jerk reactions and instant draft-day grades, the window to evaluate the 2023 class is starting to open. — Mike Defabo, New York Times, 10 June 2026 That was my knee-jerk thought at the end of Hacks, as the camera pulled away from Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder walking down the Vegas strip in the final seconds of the series finale. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for knee-jerk

Recent Examples of Synonyms for knee-jerk

Adjective

While most of the vandals ripping down automatic license plate readers prefer to go incognito, an Albuquerque character named Jevon Martinez isn’t afraid to show his face.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026
Shohei Ohtani struck out four consecutive times for the first time this season, including in the 10th with an automatic runner at third.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of automatic

Adjective

This physical separation prevents signal interference and mechanical abrasion between heavy power lines, sensitive data channels, and fluid hoses.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2026
The company said its new 50,000-metric-ton plant in Qidong, China, produced its first commercial batches of Xatryx bioTHF and bioPTMEG in August, roughly four months after reaching mechanical completion.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of mechanical

Adjective

Because of spontaneous and piezoelectric polarization in its crystal structure, GaN heterostructures can naturally induce extremely thin sheets of mobile electrons and holes.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
With a vehicle this size, 180 hp isn't exactly a recipe for spontaneous joy.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of spontaneous

Adjective

First presented at the tail end of sessions for 2023’s In Times New Roman, it was captured on the second of just two takes, preserving a loose, instinctive performance from Homme, Troy Van Leeuwen, Michael Shuman, Dean Fertita and Jon Theodore.

— Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 25 Aug. 2026
But there is a place at the next level for an instinctive playmaker like him.

— Dane Brugler, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of instinctive

Adjective

The proof-of-concept robot marks an advancement in self-resetting jumping, which could help other engineering teams who are looking to integrate these findings into future robotic navigation methods.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2026
Powered by a large battery, during a lunar mission the robot would inflate itself and charge up from a robotic rover at the edge of a crater before heading out on its own.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of robotic

Adjective

And at the end of it all, a euphoric fan base, tipsy with its sudden reversal of fortune, belted out a 1976 Abba song in South Florida.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
The model is pulled in ten different directions by different internal product teams, resulting in an interface that suffers from sudden behavioral resets and an inability to smoothly execute complex, multi-turn human requests.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of sudden

Adjective

Parched fields force hydroponic growers, vegetable farmers and fruit producers to halt harvests, sell off underfed livestock at rock-bottom prices and even return to mechanic jobs to survive.

— Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
There are exceptions and one is Hig (Elordi), who before the virus hit was a mechanic living a good life with his pregnant wife and new puppy.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of mechanic

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knee-jerk

knees

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“Knee-jerk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knee-jerk. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of knee-jerk

adjective

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