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
Investors are also bracing for a knee-jerk stock selloff Monday, with analysts warning that surging oil prices and further escalation could trigger an extended rout.
—
J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 22 June 2025
While tariffs are a legitimate concern for many companies, this kind of sharp drop is a textbook example of a knee-jerk reaction — and the market is full of them.
—Nishant Pant, CNBC, 20 June 2025
But a knee-jerk investment in AI could actually compound your risk.
—Vidya Plainfield, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
In another signal of fear subsiding in financial markets, the price of gold also gave back some of its knee-jerk climb from Friday, when investors were looking for someplace safe to park their cash.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for knee-jerk
J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 22 June 2025
While tariffs are a legitimate concern for many companies, this kind of sharp drop is a textbook example of a knee-jerk reaction — and the market is full of them.
—Nishant Pant, CNBC, 20 June 2025
But a knee-jerk investment in AI could actually compound your risk.
—Vidya Plainfield, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
In another signal of fear subsiding in financial markets, the price of gold also gave back some of its knee-jerk climb from Friday, when investors were looking for someplace safe to park their cash.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for knee-jerk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knee-jerk
Adjective
-
Instead, their relationship is built on a secure emotional foundation that makes these behaviors natural and automatic over time.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
Regardless of income, one factor that has helped boost savers’ balances is automatic enrollment.—
Kamaron McNair,
CNBC,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
Some bass-heavy speakers can create an annoying booming sound from the reflex port at the rear of the speaker.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
-
The Loewe Grand inicio is a powerful two-way speaker with a bass reflex system and is available as a floor-standing speaker.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 June 2025
-
Products include mechanical, electrical, sensing and electronic components, spanning from motors and lighting assemblies to ultrasonic, camera, radar and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging).—
Sabbir Rangwala,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Dating rocks involves using radiometric techniques that harness the natural and spontaneous radioactive decay of certain elements in the rock, which acts as a type of clock.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
27 June 2025
-
If a dog park is too much, just walking your pup around your neighborhood or visiting local breweries or restaurants with dog-friendly patios can lead to spontaneous chats and recurring friendly encounters.—
Sunny Hubler,
Charlotte Observer,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
However, Branch’s instinctive and aggressive tendencies sometimes hurt.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
-
Their intelligence varies by breed and falls into three types: instinctive, adaptive, and working/obedience.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
What might this robotic world of the future look like?—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
The field has also become specialized, Hochberg says, with some groups focused on decoding speech while others work on improving control of robotic limbs.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
Talks with different countries are ongoing, but are subject to sudden changes in direction.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
-
Given the sudden burst of interest, agentic AI risks becoming something that’s all too common in business: a topic that everyone is talking about, but that few people actually understand.—
Tomas Gorny,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
Before becoming a cofounder, Hildreth worked in roles that many would dismiss as mundane: mechanic, logistics officer and government contractor.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Knee-jerk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knee-jerk. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share