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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Recent Examples of knee-jerk
Lots of colors that, in a knee-jerk way, might remind one of India, Mexico — or maybe a counterculture festival in the 1960s.
—
Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Use discipline and planning and avoid emotional investing or knee-jerk reactions.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
For many jacaranda lovers, the labor of preservation was a knee-jerk reaction, like shielding a child from a blow.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
Markets are packed with knee-jerk reactions, and the entire idea behind mean reversion is to spot these overreactions and take a contrarian stance — stepping in with a trade in the opposite direction.
—Nishant Pant, CNBC, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for knee-jerk
Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Use discipline and planning and avoid emotional investing or knee-jerk reactions.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
For many jacaranda lovers, the labor of preservation was a knee-jerk reaction, like shielding a child from a blow.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
Markets are packed with knee-jerk reactions, and the entire idea behind mean reversion is to spot these overreactions and take a contrarian stance — stepping in with a trade in the opposite direction.
—Nishant Pant, CNBC, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for knee-jerk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knee-jerk
Adjective
-
Nathan Kaufman, a health care consultant and long-time Palomar observer who has been critical of recent leadership decisions, said that the pact between Palomar and UCSD is not an automatic win given the current state of health care margins.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 July 2025
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The service, launched in 2021, offered unlimited photo and video storage to AT&T’s Protect Advantage plan subscribers with the convenience of automatic backup at full quality and no data charges when backing up over AT&T’s network.—
Paul Monckton,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
That leads to the second category: a simple reflex agent with state.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
-
Some bass-heavy speakers can create an annoying booming sound from the reflex port at the rear of the speaker.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
Adjective
-
Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Aug. 2025
-
Vigilant use of mechanical (hoeing, pulling by hand) and chemical control, followed by organic mulches to smother growth, works best.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Part how-to guide, part graphic memoir, part manifesto about creativity, Picture This celebrates drawing as a means of spontaneous expression.—
Sophia Stewart,
The Atlantic,
1 Aug. 2025
-
One way people showed their enthusiasm was through spontaneous footwork.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
There is no big screen, rather circular digital touchscreens surround the steering wheel to allow instinctive commands without losing sight of the road or contact with the steering wheel.—
Trinity Francis,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
Making playthings of space and grammar, Gray Latitudes is a bold first publication by an author who approaches crafting thoughtful poetry in the most impulsive and instinctive ways.—
Wanjeri Gakuru
July 11,
Literary Hub,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Then there's the third converging factor, the acceleration of automation, which encompasses generative AI and robotic process automation (RPA).—
Jerry Cahn,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
-
Several startups in Norway, a top seafood exporter, are also developing robotic systems to more humanely kill and process fish.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
While some seemed excited about Buck's sudden appearance, some speculated about the possibility of Stephanopoulos leaving the show.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
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Then Kings of Leon and Black Keys come out of Nashville and then all of a sudden the diversity of the music that was coming out of there started to really grow over a short period of time.—
Melonee Hurt,
The Tennessean,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Another customer says the soap works wonders for their mechanic husband and is powerful enough to remove dirt and grease.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
10 July 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Knee-jerk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knee-jerk. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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