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
These were knee-jerk reactions to an announcement that probably doesn’t change the status quo or backlogs for the foreseeable future, and who knows if this microfluidics technology can be done at scale.
—
Jeff Marks, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2025
So if your knee-jerk reaction is to doomscroll for another hour, resist the urge.
—Marc Brackett, Time, 21 Sep. 2025
Big market fluctuations are the worst time to make knee-jerk decisions about your long-term plans.
—Hillary Stalker, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Sep. 2025
There is no mistaking that the Democrats are on thin ice with their knee-jerk and obligatory nods to local prerogative.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knee-jerk
Jeff Marks, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2025
So if your knee-jerk reaction is to doomscroll for another hour, resist the urge.
—Marc Brackett, Time, 21 Sep. 2025
Big market fluctuations are the worst time to make knee-jerk decisions about your long-term plans.
—Hillary Stalker, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Sep. 2025
There is no mistaking that the Democrats are on thin ice with their knee-jerk and obligatory nods to local prerogative.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knee-jerk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knee-jerk
Adjective
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One of the smartest things the subgroup of three commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick did in concocting a 12-team CFP format was to grant automatic playoff berths to the top six conference champions (later five after the Pac-12’s collapse).—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
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The days of securing big automatic rate increases with every new cable carriage deal are long over.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In each case, there's a recognition that some players might want to explore a game's world—to experience the characters, art, and dialogue that the developers worked so hard to craft—without struggling through mechanical reflex tests or grindy, repetitive challenges.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
9 Oct. 2025
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This realistic doctor’s coat has everything your aspiring doctor needs to give their patients a check-up, including a face mask, a stethoscope with sound effects (AAA batteries not included), thermometer, syringe, reflex hammer, and reusable name tag.—
Katrina Cossey,
Parents,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Oct. 2025
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Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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From sunny beaches and cultural city breaks to mountain towns framed by fall foliage, autumn offers plenty of affordable options for a spontaneous getaway.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Oct. 2025
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So Rey and Ismael and their band played their first gig, a spontaneous Catholic block party.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Having scored on his Serie A debut against Fiorentina with an impressive finish against former United goalkeeper David de Gea, Hojlund grabbed his second Serie A goal at the weekend with an instinctive finish to secure three points against Genoa in a 2-1 victory.—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
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That quiet, instinctive gesture of care — captured on video and later shared on TikTok — struck a chord with hundreds of thousands.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The company has announced plans to expand its lineup, aiming to introduce several additional robotic platforms by the end of the year.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Oct. 2025
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For now, there’s broad agreement that AI is nowhere near taking away the jobs of technicians, at least not until robotic technology significantly advances.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with caution and be prepared for sudden changes in conditions.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
12 Oct. 2025
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Leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Crowson said the suspect then drove to an area about two and a half miles north of the mechanic shop, where police received a report of another shooting.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
9 Oct. 2025
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An hour later, a mechanic shop in Houston called 911 to report that a man had shot and killed a male employee.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knee-jerk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knee-jerk. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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