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
Investors should resist the urge for the knee-jerk reaction of selling.
—
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
Today's knee-jerk volatility is not capturing the full picture with China closed.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
For Teens, Saving Each Other From Social Media Is a Team Effort
Still, critics say the social media age restriction was a knee-jerk reaction passed without proper consultation, involves thorny data-privacy issues, and creates even more risks for youngsters who use platforms illicitly.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 3 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
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
Today's knee-jerk volatility is not capturing the full picture with China closed.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
For Teens, Saving Each Other From Social Media Is a Team Effort
Still, critics say the social media age restriction was a knee-jerk reaction passed without proper consultation, involves thorny data-privacy issues, and creates even more risks for youngsters who use platforms illicitly.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 3 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
-
The Owls won the Atlantic 10 tournament title in Staley’s second year to ensure an automatic bid before making the tournament another five times and finishing with at least 20 wins in six of her eight seasons — a task that had been accomplished only twice at Temple in seven decades of existence.—
Chantel Jennings,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
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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
-
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
-
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
-
That’s the paradox of conflict — our most instinctive reactions are often misinterpreted.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Elon Musk's company launched its 32nd robotic resupply mission to the ISS for NASA early Monday morning (April 21), sending a Dragon freighter aloft from Florida's Space Coast.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
22 Apr. 2025
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The idea is that combining cheap-to-make AUVs with their own heavy armaments that are equally cheap and linking them with an intelligent sonar network would create fleets of robotic subs able to engage enemy ships and submarines in numbers never before seen.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
And then all of the sudden all of these people come over and start dropping turkey and stuffing all over the ground.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
1 May 2025
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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
Adjective
-
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 7 May. 2025.
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