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
Major studios have grown gun-shy about funding anything remotely risky; even a risk well taken can prompt a knee-jerk, scornful reaction from not only the executives but also the press: The film could, even should, have done better.
—
David Sims, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2025
Rather than culling relationship-building efforts in a knee-jerk reaction to a slowdown, consider how to maintain or increase them.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
This is not a knee-jerk response to a heavy defeat, but increasing evidence of what Newcastle need to continue progressing next season.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Target-date funds aim to lower equity exposure as investors near retirement, but savers will need to avoid knee-jerk reactions when the market grows more turbulent.
—Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knee-jerk
David Sims, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2025
Rather than culling relationship-building efforts in a knee-jerk reaction to a slowdown, consider how to maintain or increase them.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
This is not a knee-jerk response to a heavy defeat, but increasing evidence of what Newcastle need to continue progressing next season.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Target-date funds aim to lower equity exposure as investors near retirement, but savers will need to avoid knee-jerk reactions when the market grows more turbulent.
—Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knee-jerk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knee-jerk
Adjective
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Lola Jones, Hillsdale softball: Jones pitched the final eight innings of Hillsdale’s nine-inning 2-1 win over Aragon, conceding only an automatic runner in the ninth and striking out seven.—
Christian Babcock,
Mercury News,
13 May 2025
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Every reliever except Yuki Matsui has been complicit, though Jeremiah Estrada’s unearned run came after the automatic runner was placed on second in the 10th inning on Wednesday.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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In addition, the bass reflex port on these speakers is front-facing, which means that they can be placed close to walls without risk of distortion.—
Brad Moon,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
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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
Adjective
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Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2025
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The company's debut product, an all-black keyboard with no key labels, put mechanical keyboards on the radar of computer geeks and general consumers alike.—
Zackery Cuevas,
PC Magazine,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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Pockets of time when most parents are homebound are now ripe for spontaneous hangouts, especially because their kids can entertain one another.—
Rhaina Cohen,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2025
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But most mutations are acquired — from lifestyle, environmental exposures, or spontaneous errors during cell division.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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Palace also look to exploit Wharton’s instinctive ball progression from defensive set pieces.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
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The industrial metaverse can capture and scale some very intricate knowledge, including the instinctive skills and judgment of veteran workers, into immersive digital twins.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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Through robotic production line, Losanje manages to transform finished textile products — from clothing to bedsheets and curtains, among other goods — into ready-to-reuse fabrics.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
16 May 2025
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People with autism may unintentionally use monotonous, robotic speech that sounds abnormal or disinterested to others.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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The band’s message may have got slightly lost, however, amid their acid-trip screen visuals, military drag, and the climactic near-naked reveals, not to mention the sudden appearance of a rocket-straddling Vladimir Lenin impersonator who looked more like the Smurfs’ arch-nemesis Gargamel.—
Nick Allen,
Vulture,
13 May 2025
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His retirement wasn’t sudden, and the scheduling team has slowly been preparing for this transition over the past few years.—
Jayna Bardahl,
New York Times,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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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 22 May. 2025.
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