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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Recent Examples of knee-jerk
Much like the lawman drowning his sorrows in alcohol, a robber named Robbie with Robin Hood-like tendencies may trigger some knee-jerk skepticism from viewers wary of reductive tropes.
—
Alison Herman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
Stocks soared while Treasury yields plummeted on the news as the knee-jerk reaction took hold for a rate reduction when the Federal Open Market Committee issues its next decision on Sept. 17.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2025
Instead of a knee-jerk rejection of France's diplomatic initiative, Israel should better use it and subsequent announcements to its advantage to bolster Israel's national security and international standing.
—Ami Ayalon, Time, 18 Aug. 2025
Don’t make knee-jerk transfers Player prices fluctuate greatly at the start of the season as millions of FPL managers jump on early bandwagons.
—Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knee-jerk
Alison Herman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
Stocks soared while Treasury yields plummeted on the news as the knee-jerk reaction took hold for a rate reduction when the Federal Open Market Committee issues its next decision on Sept. 17.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2025
Instead of a knee-jerk rejection of France's diplomatic initiative, Israel should better use it and subsequent announcements to its advantage to bolster Israel's national security and international standing.
—Ami Ayalon, Time, 18 Aug. 2025
Don’t make knee-jerk transfers Player prices fluctuate greatly at the start of the season as millions of FPL managers jump on early bandwagons.
—Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knee-jerk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knee-jerk
Adjective
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There is no semi-automatic offside system as in La Liga.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The system has an automatic self-cleaning function and is designed for easy, tool-free filter replacement, with filters lasting from 12 to 24 months.—
Nora Colomer,
FOXNews.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Beyond that, though, the history of the past couple of years shows that NVDA's stock move isn't a reliable directional driver of the broad tape beyond the reflex reaction.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
26 Aug. 2025
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During that second stay, a routine reflex test caused his leg to jerk violently, prompting a full spinal MRI.—
Jordan Greene,
People.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The money would provide for beginning mechanical removal of the algae mass in the most problematic areas and setting up test areas for the effectiveness of algicides, Miller said.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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And while ultrasound techniques can modulate the activity of neurons by delivering gentle mechanical pulses that influence how cells send signals, current systems have struggled to reach deeper areas of the brain with sufficient precision—until now.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Butler never imagined Zimmerer – a typically non-spontaneous person – would drop everything to book a flight and travel more than 1,500 miles from Nebraska to be there.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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Earlier in the tournament, Sinner said that their meetings now will never be quite as spontaneous as the epic five-setter here three years ago, which announced their rivalry to the world.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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More broadly, this instinctive punching left at anything that smacks of gender, or academics, or whatever else the center is scared of, is never about language.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
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Several noted that his instinctive tug had likely prevented the pair from colliding with the elk.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The couple married in 2019 in a ceremony officiated by Sutskever at OpenAI’s offices, with a robotic hand serving as ring bearer.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
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Having a robotic bear, rabbit, chicken or fox the size of a refrigerator coming after you in the dark was truly terrifying.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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The condition causes sudden weakness or paralysis in muscles on one side of the face and is, in most cases, temporary, according to the Mayo Clinic.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Part surgeon, part mechanic — as seen sawing away at a leg in EW's exclusive Fall Movie Preview image, above — days spent filming in Victor's lab were some of the actor's favorite.—
Gerrad Hall,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Sep. 2025
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Three men who worked at a mechanic shop near where the truck was abandoned were taken into custody but later released due to insufficient evidence.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knee-jerk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knee-jerk. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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