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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 Adair’s cause of death A medical examiner ruled Adair’s cause of death to be homicide from mechanical asphyxia, or when a force or object prevents someone from breathing. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025 Other old-car issues, such as gremlins impacting the electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and exhaust systems, are ongoing considerations. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2025 In California, policies are sold as mechanical breakdown insurance. Brian Sloan, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025 These mechanical processes are narrative, not logical, which is to say, they are driven by thinking in actions (as synapses do) rather than by thinking in equations (as computers do). Angus Fletcher, Big Think, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mechanical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mechanical
Adjective
  • How teams stack up in the race for automatic bids, first-round byes and staying on the right side of the bubble.
    Austin Mock, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Small and simple, the Magnifica is an automatic machine that can brew seven drinks, including espressos, cappuccinos, lattes, macchiatos, and iced coffee.
    Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • However, his unnatural exit from the sport made headlines in his final season at the Bahrain Grand Prix through an incident that reminded everyone about the dangers of motorsport.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Imitating the speech or body language of others during a conversation is another form of masking, along with forcing eye contact or facial expressions, which may feel unnatural.
    Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The first mimics its real-life namesake by having a strong, flexible robotic arm.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2025
  • But the country is now building toward a robotic lunar lander to be launched by a homegrown rocket, with a grander vision of establishing a moon base by 2045 as part of a long-term exploration road map released by KASA in August.
    Andrew Jones, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Flight 11 will target those same two splashdown zones, and Ship will aim to deploy another eight mock Starlinks, SpaceX wrote in Monday's update.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Recently, Taylor invited her daughter’s class to Euronews Albania for a behind-the-scenes look at how television is made, where the children took part in mock interviews and explored the studio with wide-eyed excitement.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Cynthia Quiles, who plays mechanic Frankie, is not known to have any romantic ties and hasn't spoken publicly about her personal life.
    Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Kreider is refreshed to be teaching young folks who are engaged in mechanic work.
    Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Qatar is deepening its presence in Egypt after more than a decade of strained ties.
    Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Reports about father and son’s strained relationship have been everywhere of late.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • The reflex trade was a textbook Fed-easing play to rotate out of big, expensive growth stocks and into lower-quality, more cyclical small-caps and financials .
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • American food giants like Walmart’s Great Value brand, General Mills, Kraft Heinz and more are pledging to remove additives like synthetic dyes, certain preservatives and artificial sweeteners from their foods.
    Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Their methods—ruthless melodic math, brazenly artificial production, and an odd soft spot for reggae rhythms—helped define the world-conquering sound of Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mechanical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mechanical. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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