as in automatic
done instantly and without conscious thought or decision
a colleague known for her knee-jerk rejection of any proposal that she didn't originate
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of knee-jerk
This soulful outlier on the otherwise prickly Mr. Morale swings between therapeutic epiphanies and knee-jerk flexes as Kendrick runs down the ways his dad has inspired him and hardened him.
—
Stephen Kearse, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025
Other types of dystonia include writer’s cramp and neck dystonia, and both occur during active movements, Frankford says, like knee-jerk contractions in the fingers, hand, or forearm.
—Angela Haupt, TIME, 29 Jan. 2025
When a massive knee-jerk reaction like this occurs, technical indicators often become irrelevant.
—Nishant Pant, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2025
Resist the urge to act on a knee-jerk reaction, and assess the offer objectively.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for knee-jerk 
Stephen Kearse, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025
Other types of dystonia include writer’s cramp and neck dystonia, and both occur during active movements, Frankford says, like knee-jerk contractions in the fingers, hand, or forearm.
—Angela Haupt, TIME, 29 Jan. 2025
When a massive knee-jerk reaction like this occurs, technical indicators often become irrelevant.
—Nishant Pant, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2025
Resist the urge to act on a knee-jerk reaction, and assess the offer objectively.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for knee-jerk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knee-jerk
Adjective
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Not all employees have an automatic right to appeal.—
Medora Lee,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
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If passed, Maryland can use automatic money returns for claims under $5,000.—
Scott Taylor,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Common triggers include dehydration from illness, vasovagal syncope—a reflex response to nausea or pain—abnormal heart rhythms, and heart valve conditions such as aortic stenosis.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
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The reflex reaction might well be, What exactly have the governor and fellow Democrats been doing for the previous six years?—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In 2023, more than 200 passengers were stuck at a military base in remote Canada for over 21 hours after a Delta flight traveling from Amsterdam to Detroit, Michigan, experienced a mechanical issue and needed to make an emergency landing.—
Kris Van Cleave,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2025
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As the final stage began, Austin Hill experienced a mechanical issue with leaking fluid.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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There’s certainly a spirit of lively, spontaneous community in the film’s ensemble of screen newcomers, all cast from the region and fluent in its distinctive Henan dialect, who collectively contribute a vital air of careworn, lived-in human texture to proceedings.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
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Luna will also meet with electric Uranus in an exhilarating trine, shaking things up with a spontaneous trip or a philosophical conversation that sparks a new romantic connection.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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As soon as the end credits begin to roll, Polly leaps from the couch and heads straight into their crate, signaling an instinctive understanding that the show's conclusion means bedtime.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
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Bowman checks the special teams box, and has the reputation as an instinctive safety, which is the most important thing the Bills look for at the position.—
Joe Buscaglia,
The Athletic,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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An experimental device has been designed to help such folks lift cumbersome objects, by adding a robotic hand to the back of their dominant hand.—
Ben Coxworth,
New Atlas,
21 Feb. 2025
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Navigating the Cosmos For human and robotic explorers venturing beyond Earth, far more advanced navigation tools have replaced the simple compass.—
Jake Parks,
Discover Magazine,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Release date, cast, more Queen Latifah, Adrien Brody, Kerry Washington, more stars flock to Thom Browne's NYFW show 'Really bummed out:' Beverly Ortega explains sudden departure from 'The Bachelor' When is WorldPride Music Festival 2025?—
Anthony Robledo,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
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The Digest The Australian art scene continues to reel in the wake of the sudden decision to drop artist Khaled Sabsabi from the country’s Venice Biennale pavilion, which many now suspect may remain empty at the 61st edition of the exhibition.—
The Editors of ARTnews,
ARTnews.com,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Harroun installed it with a bracket above the dashboard rather than have a mechanic ride in the race with him, as was the custom of the day.—
George Petras,
USA TODAY,
24 May 2024
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When Part 4 was released in August 2023, mechanic Bennie was losing his garage.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
The Indianapolis Star,
17 Apr. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near knee-jerk
Cite this Entry
“Knee-jerk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knee-jerk. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025.
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