: readily predictable : automatic
knee-jerk reactions
also, disapproving
: reacting in a readily predictable way
The man was such a bleeding-heart knee-jerk liberal that you could predict the rest of the column after reading the first sentence. —
Andrew M. Greeley
Andrew M. Greeley
: an involuntary forward kick produced by a light blow on the tendon below the patella
Examples of knee-jerk in a Sentence
Adjective
a colleague known for her knee-jerk rejection of any proposal that she didn't originate
Recent Examples on the Web
Hillary Stalker, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Sep. 2025
There is no mistaking that the Democrats are on thin ice with their knee-jerk and obligatory nods to local prerogative.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
Mark Faithfull, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Flynn’s suggestion to move the rowdy Southie parade downtown is a knee jerk reaction to appease the upscale yuppie families and other residents who have taken over the traditional working class Irish American neighborhood.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for knee-jerk
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Adjective
Big market fluctuations are the worst time to make knee-jerk decisions about your long-term plans.
—Hillary Stalker, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Sep. 2025
There is no mistaking that the Democrats are on thin ice with their knee-jerk and obligatory nods to local prerogative.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
Gauger also needs to establish trust quickly, both internally and externally, because the leadership merry-go-round will inevitably lead customers and staff to wonder whether this is the just the latest knee jerk switch in direction before Gap Inc. switches once again.
—Mark Faithfull, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Flynn’s suggestion to move the rowdy Southie parade downtown is a knee jerk reaction to appease the upscale yuppie families and other residents who have taken over the traditional working class Irish American neighborhood.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for knee-jerk
Cite this Entry
“Knee-jerk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knee-jerk. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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