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
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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But those ninth innings had started to become less automatic, and Counsell trusts relievers such as Brad Keller (Friday’s eighth-inning guy) and Andrew Kittredge (Friday’s closer) in just about any situation.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
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That includes supporting a ban on semiautomatic automatic weapons and high capacity magazines.—
Mark Vancleave,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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There are varying depths of coma, however, and some people may still have some reflex responses.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
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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
Adjective
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Rather than employ mechanical changes to his swing, the Twins thought moving free and easy would simply allow Jenkins to attack more of the zone.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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While quartz has served the industry well for decades, its sensitivity to environmental conditions, mechanical stress and aging presents challenges in demanding applications.—
Markus Lutz,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Mid-century collective behavior theories considered social movements to be nonrational, spontaneous events occurring during moments of social and cultural breakdown.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Sep. 2025
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This bill would entrench West Oakland and many other neighborhoods across the state as sacrifice zones, forcing us to deal with toxic chemicals and spontaneous fires for the sake of corporate profits.—
Brian Beveridge,
Mercury News,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Each motion of his swing, once dissected, felt mechanical rather than instinctive.—
Zach Sweet,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
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When role demands match instinctive strengths, work feels like swimming with the current instead of against it.—
Carrie Moore,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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New rides like this one can cost $100 million, if not more, to create; incorporate LiDAR laser systems of the kind used on self-driving cars; and rely on robotic figures with thousands of moving parts.—
Bianca Bosker,
The Atlantic,
14 Sep. 2025
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Surprising to see also are the robotic milking machines the farm has invested in that help streamline milk production.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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And then all of a sudden, the pick.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The man was working at a mechanic shop in the 4300 block of Eden Road in Kennedale.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Sep. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Knee-jerk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knee-jerk. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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