Synonyms of automatic

automatic 1 of 2

adjective

ˌȯ-tə-ˈma-tik 

1

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

• mechanical
• robotic
• reflex
• spontaneous
• mechanic
• instinctive
• simple
• sudden
• involuntary
• quick
• instinctual
• natural
• unwilling
• unconscious
• abrupt
• knee-jerk
• reactive
• conditioned
• blind
• inadvertent
• casual
• impulsive
• subliminal
• visceral
• Pavlovian
• unintentional
• impromptu
• random
• unforced
• unintended
• unreasoned
• unwitting
• snap
• ready
• improvised
• spur-of-the-moment
• extemporaneous
• hasty
• chance
• unplanned
• haphazard
• unpremeditated
• extempore
• offhand
• rash
• unrehearsed
• mindless
• unconsidered
• unprepared
• impetuous
• unstudied
• unprompted
• off-the-cuff
• offhanded
• hit-or-miss
• ad-lib
• chancy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• voluntary
• conscious
• deliberate
• intentional
• intended
• prepared
• volitional
• willful
• designed
• calculated
• refined
• predetermined
• rehearsed
• careful
• cultivated
• willed
• projected
• thoughtful
• meticulous
• reasoned
• considered
• measured
• advised
• studied
• forethoughtful
• foresighted
• aforethought

2

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

• automated
• robotic
• mechanical
• self-operating
• self-acting
• laborsaving
• motorized
• self-regulating
• computerized
• nonmanual
• semiautomatic
• aiding
• easing
• time-saving
• relieving
• helping

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nonautomatic
• nonautomated

automatic

2 of 2

noun

as in machine gun

Related Words

• machine gun
• assault rifle
• carbine
• machine pistol
• submachine gun
• assault weapon
• shotgun
• rifle
• repeater
• tommy gun
• blunderbuss
• semiautomatic
• musket
• flintlock
• matchlock
• smoothbore
• breechloader
• harquebus
• AK-47
• fieldpiece
• firelock
• culverin
• speargun
• pistol
• revolver
• handgun
• twenty-two
• zip gun
• sidearm
• derringer
• self-loader
• firearm
• small arm
• gun
• six-shooter
• rod
• roscoe
• gat
• six-gun
• forty-five
• heat
• arm
• piece

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

Recent Examples of automatic

Adjective

The scuffle escalated, police say, when Hoempler pulled out a semi-automatic pistol from his waistband and shot all three men. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2026

Flight delay compensation in the UK is not automatic, and the procedure for submitting a claim varies by airline. — Alessia Armenise, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 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