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Synonym Chooser

How is the word mechanical distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of mechanical are automatic, impulsive, instinctive, and spontaneous. While all these words mean "acting or activated without deliberation," mechanical stresses the lifeless, often perfunctory character of the response.

a mechanical teaching method

When might automatic be a better fit than mechanical?

While in some cases nearly identical to mechanical, automatic implies action engaging neither the mind nor the emotions and connotes a predictable response.

his denial was automatic

When would impulsive be a good substitute for mechanical?

While the synonyms impulsive and mechanical are close in meaning, impulsive implies acting under stress of emotion or spirit of the moment.

impulsive acts of violence

When can instinctive be used instead of mechanical?

The synonyms instinctive and mechanical are sometimes interchangeable, but instinctive stresses action involving neither judgment nor will.

blinking is an instinctive reaction

When is spontaneous a more appropriate choice than mechanical?

Although the words spontaneous and mechanical have much in common, spontaneous implies lack of prompting and connotes naturalness.

a spontaneous burst of applause

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 mechanical Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 Sep. 2025 No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device at the handwash sink at the outside bar. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025 The study recommends a large-scale mechanical removal of the muck, and the use of algicides and other measures to keep it from growing back. Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2025 The zany battle reached a dramatic conclusion when Thing ripped Isaac’s mechanical heart from his chest, ending his life… again. Andy Swift, TVLine, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mechanical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mechanical
Adjective
  • 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
  • That includes supporting a ban on semiautomatic automatic weapons and high capacity magazines.
    Mark Vancleave, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In its world premiere, SECOND NATURE challenges the notion that queerness is unnatural, by turning to nature itself — and the science that dismantles the myth of the gender binary.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Stories abound in folklore of the unnatural taking the place of the natural.
    Adam Verner September 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
  • Whose idea was this, and what kinds of settler-colonial relations does this mock holdup invert?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Sweater My grandmother also purchased this 100 percent cashmere mock-neck sweater to have on hand in case the weather requires an extra layer.
    Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • One of the main challenges facing the economy is the strained relationship between Beijing and Washington as disputes over technology and geopolitics mount.
    Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Photothek via Getty Images Against the backdrop of a strained labour market, many workers feel obliged to overperform.
    Alliance Manchester Business School, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • There are varying depths of coma, however, and some people may still have some reflex responses.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
  • 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
  • To address these challenges, the Institute of Energy carried out research on the steady-state operation performance of China’s USD one-trillion ‘artificial sun’ fusion reactor.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Vote as many times as you’d like until then without using bots or any other artificial methods of voting.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mechanical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mechanical. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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