1
2

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 Dad, a pilot, had gone up in one of his twin-props with a friend and lost control after some sort of mechanical failure occurred in the skies above Central Florida. Jon Michael Varese, The Atlantic, 28 Sep. 2025 Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems. Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2025 Trout has said he’s been fighting mechanical problems all season, which has affected his ability to make contact. Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025 Unlike the closed-coupe Chiron, which cocoons you from its inner workings, the Mistral delivers a raw mechanical sound bath, tempered only by a pop-in wind deflector (fixed in examples for North America)—just aft of the seats—that reduces cabin turbulence and shields air-flow. Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 20 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mechanical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mechanical
Adjective
  • The Idaho Transportation Department uses automatic traffic counters along the highway to calculate the average number of vehicles each day.
    Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Customers who do not qualify for the automatic payouts will have to wait until after the first payout.
    Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 26 Sep. 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
  • Not robotic or clinical or foreign.
    Gary Greenberg, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Dextre – aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to demonstrate satellite refueling in orbit by robotic means.
    Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Owain Jones of Pro Football Network has suggested Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer as a potential option for the Steelers in his new mock draft.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
  • New research found that the technology underpinning a slew of artificial intelligence models is now advanced enough to pass even the most difficult – Level III – mock exams in a matter of minutes.
    Leslie Picker, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Kreider is refreshed to be teaching young folks who are engaged in mechanic work.
    Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • From frequent relocations to a carousel of careers (culminating in a stint in Hot Springs), his choices left indelible marks on those closest to him, including strained relationships and tangled finances.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2025
  • In other instances, the lyrics feel a bit strained.
    Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • There are varying depths of coma, however, and some people may still have some reflex responses.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • By springtime, the lingering sight of the giant artificial tree — still decked out in blinking lights and a red bow — was drawing attention on social media and causing concern for the mall's future.
    JC Reindl, Freep.com, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Surgeons and doctors often rely on artificial models to practice delicate procedures.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mechanical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mechanical. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on mechanical

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!