mechanical

adjective

mi-ˈka-ni-kəl How to pronounce mechanical (audio)
Definition of mechanicalnext
1
as in automatic
done instantly and without conscious thought or decision the waiter's mechanical reply of "Everything on the menu is good"

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unnatural
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality a somewhat mechanical vocal performance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 This is because its shell dissipates mechanical energy and tolerates nanoparticle inclusion in ways that synthetic materials seek to emulate for aerospace, armor and protective coating applications. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026 The changes aren’t limited to the mechanical side of things, though. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 30 Jan. 2026 Neither property has working plumbing, electric or mechanical systems. —Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026 Things got off to an inauspicious start when Air Force One was turned back by mechanical issues. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mechanical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mechanical
  1. automatic
  2. unnatural
  3. robotic
  4. mock
  5. mechanic
  6. strained
  7. reflex
  8. false
Adjective
  • This manual mop uses internal water tanks and automatic waste separation to make cleanup easier while performing sweeping, mopping, and washing all in one motion.
    — William Jones, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026
  • The broader lesson is that global convergence is neither automatic nor guaranteed, but instead depends on certain conditions such as undisturbed markets, even as long-term progress has proven more robust than critics often assume.
    — Chelsea Follett, Oc Register, 1 Feb. 2026
Definition of automatic
Adjective
  • Others forced users to pause for several seconds between words, which made the conversation feel unnatural.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
  • If anything, Amorim proved too defiantly wedded to his own ‘way’, a 3-4-2-1 system which had to force-fit players into unnatural roles.
    — Carl Anka, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Definition of unnatural
Adjective
  • Organizations should approach this evaluation with realistic expectations about the supervision requirements and plan for hybrid workflows where human operators correct and guide robotic systems through their initial learning phases.
    — Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Daniel Chong directs the tale about a teenage animal lover who uses technology to place her consciousness into a robotic beaver in order to uncover mysteries within the animal world.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of robotic
Adjective
  • The mock drafts have already started pouring in from national draft experts.
    — Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Ten days before Wagler dropped 46 points on Purdue on just 17 shots, ESPN’s Jeremy Woo had the former Shawnee Mission Northwest star going 18th overall in his latest NBA mock draft.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2026
Definition of mock
Adjective
  • Car lots, mechanic shops, and cafes line a forlorn stretch of Route 66 in central Amarillo, but vibrant art galleries, antique shops, restaurants, a bookstore, and record shop are concentrated in a lively 13-block strip of the famed highway west of the central business district.
    — Pam LeBlanc, Southern Living, 3 Jan. 2026
  • In June 2020, the 72-year-old former police officer and mechanic pleaded guilty to 13 counts of first-degree murder and other crimes in order to avoid the death penalty.
    — Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 28 Dec. 2025
Definition of mechanic
Adjective
  • The strained awkwardness of Adelina and Alban’s gestures of generosity underscore the class disparity between the city dwellers and their relatives.
    — Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Diplomatic relations between South Africa and Israel were already severely strained after South Africa — a longtime supporter of the Palestinian people — accused Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza in a case at the United Nations’ top court.
    — Gerald Imray, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of strained
Adjective
  • Or just a reflex mean-reversion trade in some laggard sectors at a time when the AI theme has become more fragmented and treacherous?
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2025
  • As a result, reflex time — a mechanic that emulated the slow-motion gunfights of Hard Boiled or The Matrix, or bullet time from Remedy’s Max Payne (2001) — would be a defining aspect of F.E.A.R.’s gameplay.
    — Will Borger, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
Definition of reflex
Adjective
  • Their most recent lawsuit alleges trademark infringement and counterfeiting, along with false designation of origin and seeks unspecified damages from the online sellers.
    — Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
  • His reflections on the controversies and critical snubbings that greeted movies that have since become consensus masterpieces are nuanced without descending into false modesty.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of false

Browse Nearby Words

mechanic
mechanical
mechanics
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Cite this Entry

“Mechanical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mechanical. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

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