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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 These components tend to not be degraded to the same extent that with normal mechanical recycling, meaning that they can then be used to produce new plastic, or—and here is where the controversy starts—can be used to make oil. Josiah Neeley, Oc Register, 21 May 2025 Boyd listened to Kelly explain the process behind the mechanical changes to his stance and his swing. Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 20 May 2025 That shark was just a pneumatic mechanical device, in the actual ocean. Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 20 May 2025 Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for mechanical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mechanical
Adjective
  • Healthcare providers can offer automatic payment plans as an alternative to allowing unpaid invoices to accumulate and sending patients to collections.
    Samad Syed, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • 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
  • While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 May 2025
  • For her, the idea of being surrounded by people, especially while grieving, felt overwhelming and unnatural.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • The goofy novelty of AI making adequate songs out of taboo subjects will fade, but millions bending the knee to robotic mediocrity isn’t going away anytime soon.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • Two of them show up regularly in way-too-early 2026 mock drafts.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 21 May 2025
  • Say it with mock certainty and a slight smile, Callahan advises, and pause before the punchline.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 21 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
  • In the footage, a large coastal carpet python rests on a mechanic shop's floor.
    Kelli Bender, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • There's also the potential for dependency on partners, which can be risky if the alliance becomes strained.
    Randy Wong, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
  • This causes the voice to break and have a strained sound.
    Kate Nalepinski, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
  • That development will have an artificial surfing lagoon, restaurants, shops, a 300-room hotel and up to 700 homes.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025
  • On the evening of December 19, a four-person team at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Los Angeles worked for over six hours performing emergency surgery to repair two artificial valves.
    Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mechanical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mechanical. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on mechanical

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