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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Example Sentences

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 Part of it is simply a knee-jerk reaction that companies may display in the face of a new technology that might undermine their control. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026 Season openers often produce outlier performances and knee-jerk overreactions that look like complete mirages by the end of the year. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 14 Sep. 2026 My knee-jerk is to recoil from anything that brings AI close to Baldwin’s work. — James Folta, Literary Hub, 14 Sep. 2026 Business leaders should avoid knee-jerk responses to threatened boycotts or allow chatter on social media to dictate their actions. — Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for knee-jerk

Recent Examples of Synonyms for knee-jerk

Adjective

Shortly after, Wilcox slammed on the brakes, jumped out of his vehicle, took out a loaded semi-automatic handgun and fired three gunshots at the officer, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
But until recently, most automatic speech recognition (ASR) services with high-quality transcription only worked for a small number of them.

— Richard Eisenberg, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of automatic

Adjective

Related Stories Speaking at View Conference in Turin on Thursday, Hickel, who recently marked 30 years at ILM, detailed how the team mixed digital animation with physical sets, mechanical rigs and traditional stop-motion.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
For example, changes in contact forces could indicate whether a screw has engaged correctly, while audio cues could help identify when a mechanical latch has clicked into place.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of mechanical

Adjective

Harris also helped shape the movie’s imagination sequences, pushing Pixar’s artists toward more spontaneous, painterly images rather than the studio’s usual meticulous realism.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Johnson’s initial connection with EY CEO and Global Chair Janet Truncale was a spontaneous one.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of spontaneous

Adjective

More broadly, the season moved away from formulaic dressing toward a more individual, instinctive approach to style, where contrasting references and personal expression take precedence over a single aesthetic.

— Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026
His insight gleaned from both his study of history and his instinctive attuning to the dramas that play out on the tongue made his food pop at Coach House and its casual, drinky sibling, Lilac Tiger.

— John Kessler, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of instinctive

Adjective

Boston Dynamics‘ prototype operation brings engineers and machinists together to develop, manufacture, assemble, and maintain robotic hardware.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
The Vatican has now said that those tests included a robotic bronchoscopic biopsy, meaning doctors had already taken tissue samples to assess whether the mass was cancerous.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of robotic

Adjective

All of a sudden, Bass was a staggering champion lunging at a revived Raman, who swung and stung and ducked the way only a hungry up-and-comer can.

— Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
The Sagittarius Moon opposes Uranus, making a conversation, bit of news, or sudden change of perspective impossible to ignore.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 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 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of knee-jerk

adjective

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