AUTOMATIC Synonyms: 146 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'automatic' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of automatic are impulsive , instinctive , mechanical , and spontaneous . While all these words mean "acting or activated without deliberation," automatic implies action engaging neither the mind nor the emotions and connotes a predictable response. // his denial was automatic

Q: Where would 'impulsive' be a reasonable alternative to 'automatic'?

While the synonyms impulsive and automatic are close in meaning, impulsive implies acting under stress of emotion or spirit of the moment. // impulsive acts of violence

Q: When could 'instinctive' be used to replace 'automatic'?

The words instinctive and automatic can be used in similar contexts, but instinctive stresses action involving neither judgment nor will. // blinking is an instinctive reaction

Q: When would 'mechanical' be a good substitute for 'automatic'?

In some situations, the words mechanical and automatic are roughly equivalent. However, mechanical stresses the lifeless, often perfunctory character of the response. // a mechanical teaching method

Q: When is it sensible to use 'spontaneous' instead of 'automatic'?

The meanings of spontaneous and automatic largely overlap; however, spontaneous implies lack of prompting and connotes naturalness. // a spontaneous burst of applause

automatic 1 of 2

adjective

ˌȯ-tə-ˈma-tik

Definition of automatic

as in mechanical

done instantly and without conscious thought or decision Carl's automatic use of the brakes narrowly averted a collision

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in automated

designed to replace or decrease human labor and especially physical labor liked the ease of an automatic floor cleaner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

automatic

2 of 2

noun

as in machine gun

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word automatic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of automatic are impulsive, instinctive, mechanical, and spontaneous. While all these words mean "acting or activated without deliberation," automatic implies action engaging neither the mind nor the emotions and connotes a predictable response.

his denial was automatic

Where would impulsive be a reasonable alternative to automatic?

While the synonyms impulsive and automatic are close in meaning, impulsive implies acting under stress of emotion or spirit of the moment.

impulsive acts of violence

When could instinctive be used to replace automatic?

The words instinctive and automatic can be used in similar contexts, but instinctive stresses action involving neither judgment nor will.

blinking is an instinctive reaction

When would mechanical be a good substitute for automatic?

In some situations, the words mechanical and automatic are roughly equivalent. However, mechanical stresses the lifeless, often perfunctory character of the response.

a mechanical teaching method

When is it sensible to use spontaneous instead of automatic?

The meanings of spontaneous and automatic largely overlap; however, spontaneous implies lack of prompting and connotes naturalness.

a spontaneous burst of applause

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 automatic

Adjective

With runners at the corners and one out, Marsee hit a high drive against Michael Rucker (0-2) to easily score automatic runner Xavier Edwards. — ABC News, 7 July 2026 Flip it over, and the exhibition caseback reveals even more of the in-house automatic movement (Caliber CRMC-1). — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 July 2026

Noun

Indeed, if the manual gearbox had the DSG automatic's ratios, the paragraphs above would have a very different tenor. — ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025 Notre Dame is simply trying to figure out how to make the automatics automatic. — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for automatic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for automatic

Adjective

Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2026
The skyscraper is being converted into apartments, which is a more complicated process than building one from scratch and requires extensive structural, plumbing and mechanical work.

— Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 9 July 2026

Definition of mechanical

Adjective

Founded in 2016 and led by Chief Executive Officer Cao Xudong, a former researcher at Microsoft Research Asia, the company develops autonomous driving software such as emergency assistance, combined driver assistance and highly automated driving.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 8 July 2026
Six months of use by the author suggests that companies should benefit when users adapt their work styles and the organization defines clear objectives, uses robust context management, and builds automated pipelines.

— Jason Andersen, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of automated

Noun

The indictment charging Bhagwanpuria also details members of the organized crime group selling semiautomatic rifles, a machine gun and pistols in parking lots across Southern California.

— Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Four juveniles were taken into custody and face charges that include third-degree assault by mob, assault on police while resisting arrest, resisting arrest, possession of a machine gun and breach of peace.

— Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026

Definition of machine gun

Adjective

Instead of relying solely on manual walk-around inspections, crews can assign inspection missions to the robotic platforms.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
That said, the benchmark here is Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci, the robotic system that has defined the category for two decades and sits in thousands of operating rooms.

— John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of robotic

Noun

Nicolas Cage headlines through the Nick Cage Event Pass running June 25 to July 23, whose free track hands out the AN-94 assault rifle and Executioner's Duet melee weapon.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
When Jonah was 3, sound asleep in his room at his older sister’s birthday party, bullets from an assault rifle cracked through the windows of Jamon’s house and left holes above his bed.

— Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 June 2026

Definition of assault rifle

Adjective

As the session continues, Atlas’s movements appear increasingly fluid, suggesting the system is being evaluated not only for strength but also for agility, reflex response, and adaptive motor control.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 24 June 2026
Wyle listened to the two women’s breathing and administered a reflex test on their knees.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 8 May 2026

Definition of reflex

Adjective

That didn’t seem to dent the energy, with spontaneous Argentinian futbol songs breaking out among scrums of fans.

— Matias Ocner, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Instead of limiting where an electric bike can go, its folding design creates more opportunities to ride, making spontaneous adventures easier than ever while still providing the comfort needed for longer distances.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 July 2026

Definition of spontaneous

Browse Nearby Words

automated

automatic

automatically

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Automatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/automatic. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of automatic

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on automatic

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

fulcrum

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes