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
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Recent Examples of knee-jerk
This is not a knee-jerk response to a heavy defeat, but increasing evidence of what Newcastle need to continue progressing next season.
—
Chris Waugh, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Target-date funds aim to lower equity exposure as investors near retirement, but savers will need to avoid knee-jerk reactions when the market grows more turbulent.
—Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2025
The only way to break through the noise of knee-jerk reactions is to spend time with the songs.
—Brendan Le, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Investors should resist the urge for the knee-jerk reaction of selling.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knee-jerk
Chris Waugh, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Target-date funds aim to lower equity exposure as investors near retirement, but savers will need to avoid knee-jerk reactions when the market grows more turbulent.
—Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2025
The only way to break through the noise of knee-jerk reactions is to spend time with the songs.
—Brendan Le, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Investors should resist the urge for the knee-jerk reaction of selling.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knee-jerk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knee-jerk
Adjective
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Bear in mind that the Atom 2 does not include any sort of obstacle avoidance, while DJI puts forward sensors and automatic braking in its Flip.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Apr. 2025
-
All the fiddly work is automatic now, and games are often cheaper and more consistently on sale for PC players.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But ultimately, the week ended with a pretty good array of extremes in selling pressure and hedging demand of the sort that should turn the risk-reward more favorable for a reflex bounce before too long.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
5 Apr. 2025
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The reflex reaction would be to suggest that without Stiller and Goretzka, Germany lost control in midfield.—
Manuel Veth,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2025
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Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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What begins as a seemingly spontaneous family journey gradually reveals deeper layers of both grief and resilience, as Ella starts to sense that her father’s intentions may be masking a more profound truth.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2025
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Additional footage showed the family breaking out into spontaneous dance moments after the selection was made.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Game 5 was the summation of his work in the dunker spot with his instinctive cutting.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
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That’s the paradox of conflict — our most instinctive reactions are often misinterpreted.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
That film showed a world where people stayed home while sending robotic versions of themselves out to live their lives.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
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For its latest trick, Imagineering will attempt to resurrect a life of sorts, that is to fully animate a highly accurate robotic creation of one of the most recognizable figures of the 20th century, Walt Disney himself.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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On April 28th, a sudden frequency drop in Spain’s power grid triggered cascading shutdowns, leaving millions without power.—
Mark Le Dain,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
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Then, all of a sudden, one of those teams had one of the top five players in the league fall right in its lap.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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Home in foreclosure, a mobile mechanic Online records show that his Canby Street home was in foreclosure last year and sold in September for $60,000.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
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In the footage, a large coastal carpet python rests on a mechanic shop's floor.—
Kelli Bender,
People.com,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knee-jerk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knee-jerk. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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