Synonym Chooser

How is the word spontaneous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of spontaneous are automatic, impulsive, instinctive, and mechanical. While all these words mean "acting or activated without deliberation," spontaneous implies lack of prompting and connotes naturalness.

a spontaneous burst of applause

In what contexts can automatic take the place of spontaneous?

The meanings of automatic and spontaneous largely overlap; however, automatic implies action engaging neither the mind nor the emotions and connotes a predictable response.

his denial was automatic

When is it sensible to use impulsive instead of spontaneous?

In some situations, the words impulsive and spontaneous are roughly equivalent. However, impulsive implies acting under stress of emotion or spirit of the moment.

impulsive acts of violence

When could instinctive be used to replace spontaneous?

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

blinking is an instinctive reaction

Where would mechanical be a reasonable alternative to spontaneous?

The words mechanical and spontaneous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mechanical stresses the lifeless, often perfunctory character of the response.

a mechanical teaching method

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 spontaneous There are weird odors, spontaneous fires, references to The Bear being screamed in the back of an ambulance, and everything in between. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2025 To top it off, the backyard is home to a negative-edge pool, a putting green, and a sports court for spontaneous pickleball and basketball matches. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 17 June 2025 The digital nomad trend is growing and maturing Gen Z’s approach to location independence is less spontaneous and more strategic. Andrew Fennell, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 In a completely spontaneous decision, Flom sat down and got one of his ears pierced with a sparkling stud, and Haven’s reaction was priceless. Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 15 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for spontaneous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spontaneous
Adjective
  • Instead, their relationship is built on a secure emotional foundation that makes these behaviors natural and automatic over time.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Regardless of income, one factor that has helped boost savers’ balances is automatic enrollment.
    Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 June 2025
  • Products include mechanical, electrical, sensing and electronic components, spanning from motors and lighting assemblies to ultrasonic, camera, radar and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging).
    Sabbir Rangwala, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Her particular specialism is making sudden bursts towards the near post, staying in the defender’s blind spot before suddenly jumping ahead of her marker to turn home a simple chance, often laid on a plate at club level by Caroline Graham Hansen, with whom Pajor also worked well at Wolfsburg.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 30 June 2025
  • Given the sudden burst of interest, agentic AI risks becoming something that’s all too common in business: a topic that everyone is talking about, but that few people actually understand.
    Tomas Gorny, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Apart from the reflex response to a jump scare, the purpose of almost any horror movie is to disturb you.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 May 2025
  • The Loewe Grand inicio is a powerful two-way speaker with a bass reflex system and is available as a floor-standing speaker.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • The robotic mission proceeded normally until April 1, when the spacecraft detected a drop in pressure inside the line that feeds xenon fuel to its four thrusters.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 June 2025
  • In a recording of a telephone call heard by CNN, a person outside of Iran hoping to hear their friend’s voice on the other line, was instead met with a robotic voice.
    Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 21 June 2025
Adjective
  • Related Articles The Vivienne Westwood line has been unveiled in London since 2017 for both men’s and women’s, but is now being separated to spotlight the different business categories, an instinctive decision for Kronthaler.
    Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 20 June 2025
  • In this sense, fashion functions in a very instinctive way on my figures.
    Essence, Essence, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • Before becoming a cofounder, Hildreth worked in roles that many would dismiss as mundane: mechanic, logistics officer and government contractor.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • The simplest ideas in mathematics can also be the most perplexing.
    Leila Sloman, Wired News, 29 June 2025
  • But early optimism about a simple deal to reduce India's high tariffs has hit roadblocks over disagreements on U.S. import duties for auto parts steel and farm goods, Indian officials with direct knowledge said.
    David Lawder, USA Today, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spontaneous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spontaneous. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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