KNEE-JERK Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

knee-jerk

adjective

ˈnē-ˌjərk

Definition of knee-jerk

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 knee-jerk People’s knee-jerk reaction to seeing death in nature is often not positive. — John Kominoski, The Conversation, 10 June 2026 In a world of knee-jerk reactions and instant draft-day grades, the window to evaluate the 2023 class is starting to open. — Mike Defabo, New York Times, 10 June 2026 That was my knee-jerk thought at the end of Hacks, as the camera pulled away from Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder walking down the Vegas strip in the final seconds of the series finale. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 May 2026 Andrey Zvyagintsev, one of the most gifted Russian filmmakers of his generation, answers the question so decisively as to quell any knee-jerk remake fatigue. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for knee-jerk

Recent Examples of Synonyms for knee-jerk

Adjective

Setting up recurring automatic contributions is a good way to slowly build your investment fund.

— Elizabeth Gravier,Dan Avery, CNBC, 16 July 2026
The legislative provision must include gradual and continual reductions in federal debt held by the public as a percent of GDP between the date of enactment and Fiscal 2040 with automatic enforcement mechanisms.

— Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 15 July 2026

Definition of automatic

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

Its internal mechanical architecture is modeled on the human spine and musculoskeletal system, using synthetic muscle-like actuators that enable fluid, natural movements.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 16 July 2026
Although cops initially found no evidence of a mechanical malfunction, the family has alleged that Butler’s car may have been defective.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2026

Definition of mechanical

Adjective

Neighbors of the state park who have become accustomed to spontaneous visits found that the new system hampers their ability to make a last-minute trip.

— Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026
But attorneys Reid Kingsbury for Payton and Linda Parisi for Martin argued the two men, though armed that night, were caught in a burst of spontaneous gunfire triggered by Sergio Harris and fired back to defend themselves.

— Darrell Smith July 16, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of spontaneous

Adjective

His instinctive reaction, tearful after losing another final, was to throw in the towel, to announce his career with Argentina was over at the age of 29, to focus on his club career, which by comparison brought him so much joy and so little anxiety.

— Oliver Kay, New York Times, 19 July 2026
In your 10th House of Career and Status, the instinctive Moon conjoins harmonious Venus, helping your public presence land with more warmth and polish.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026

Definition of instinctive

Adjective

The platform combines robotic manipulation, digital twin simulation, computer vision, and IoT monitoring into a single software stack for industrial automation.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026
Shares fell more than 11% after the maker of surgical robotic tools posted second-quarter results.

— Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 17 July 2026

Definition of robotic

Adjective

The film centers on Prabha, a troubled young man whose sudden and unexplained death triggers a ripple effect across his extended family and community.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 July 2026
Cyclosporiasis symptoms include sudden, watery and occasionally explosive diarrhea—these symptoms usually appear between two days and two weeks after ingesting the parasite.

— Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 17 July 2026

Definition of sudden

Adjective

Thankfully, a mechanic shop was a short drive away.

— Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 28 June 2026
Smoke invades their businesses, even their sleep Inside MV Automotive at East Olympic Boulevard and Alma Avenue, Manny Villasenor, whose father owns the mechanic shop, said the smoke had forced him to close earlier.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026

Definition of mechanic

Browse Nearby Words

kneeing

knee-jerk

knees

See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

Style

“Knee-jerk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knee-jerk. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of knee-jerk

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

stalwart

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

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

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

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

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes