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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 knee-jerk
By late season two, her knee-jerk reaction to having guests begins to feel almost pathological, a disease that can only be cured by launching a caviar line and holding space for that on the kitchen island instead.
—
Kinsey Jasnoch, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
Glinda’s hair flips and knee-jerk narcissism lack the necessary conviction.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
Listen to signals, but don't succumb to knee-jerk reactions.
—Agur Jõgi, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
A lot of this is knee-jerk excuse-making, and the pendulum will swing back somewhat over the course of Trump’s second term.
—Bill Goodykoontz, USA TODAY, 12 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for knee-jerk 
Kinsey Jasnoch, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
Glinda’s hair flips and knee-jerk narcissism lack the necessary conviction.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
Listen to signals, but don't succumb to knee-jerk reactions.
—Agur Jõgi, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
A lot of this is knee-jerk excuse-making, and the pendulum will swing back somewhat over the course of Trump’s second term.
—Bill Goodykoontz, USA TODAY, 12 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for knee-jerk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knee-jerk
Adjective
-
Ensure it is turned on in the Play Store settings for automatic protection.Alex Vakulov, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
-
Update any automatic payments with your new card number.Fernanda Galan, Sacramento Bee, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
When the reflex actions are prevented, those muscle movements that ultimately cause the quick spoilage don’t occur.Simon Mainwaring, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
-
Basal tears keep the eye moist, while reflex tears are meant to protect the eye from irritants like dust.Jeremy Engle, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Will a mechanical dispenser be any more precise than standard teaspoons?Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 11 Jan. 2025
-
There is something about mechanical complexity, even for its own sake, that just makes some collectors swoon, and just about no complications is as superfluous today as the tourbillon.Blake Buettner, Robb Report, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The spontaneous TikTok video has struck a chord with many viewers on the platform who weighed in on how the brand styled its stores in the past.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
-
There are benefits to being in the same space—like brainstorming in real-time, spontaneous problem-solving, and just reconnecting as a team.Lance Eliot, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
My creative process is instinctive and spontaneous.Stephan Rabimov, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
-
Each guest is invited to discover the essences through an instinctive exploration guided by a specialist or Cheloni himself, aimed at choosing favorite notes and creating a bespoke fragrance.Sandra Salibian, WWD, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
To do that, someone would likely need to create a type of digital skin that would attach to a robotic limb and rapidly collect and interpret data about the world.Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 16 Jan. 2025
-
Asked what would happen to Gateway if SLS is cancelled, Daniel Neuenschwander, ESA's director of human and robotic exploration, responded that the cancellation would only impact ESA if no other launcher were able to transport Orion and the ESM to lunar orbit.Andrew Jones, Space.com, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
There are even grief counselors and social workers who specialize in sudden loss.Maya Richard-Craven, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
-
Fans were devastated by news of Morrison’s sudden and unexpected death at age 27.Makena Gera, People.com, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share