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
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
The knee-jerk reaction is to assume that behavioral skills are transmitted through interactions; conversely, behavioral skills (like behavior itself) are learned.
—Lynette Tan, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
The strategist said the sweet spot for stocks is between 100,000 and 125,000, which can result in a knee-jerk rally in the S & P 500 in the range of between 0.5% and 1%.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for knee-jerk 
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
The knee-jerk reaction is to assume that behavioral skills are transmitted through interactions; conversely, behavioral skills (like behavior itself) are learned.
—Lynette Tan, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
The strategist said the sweet spot for stocks is between 100,000 and 125,000, which can result in a knee-jerk rally in the S & P 500 in the range of between 0.5% and 1%.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for knee-jerk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knee-jerk
Adjective
-
Founded in Paris 250 years ago, Abraham-Louis Breguet was one of the most influential watchmakers in history, best known for inventing the tourbillon and the automatic winding system—along with many other groundbreaking innovations.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
6 Feb. 2025
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Mirroring of intransitive actions, also called automatic imitation, can be measured with what’s called a stimulus-response-compatibility (SRC) test.—
Ashley Belanger,
Ars Technica,
6 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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At an early age, Melvin was learning about mechanical and chemical engineering through family activities with his parents who were school teachers.—
Anna Halkidis,
Parents,
4 Feb. 2025
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Those concerned with historical accuracy won’t love this change, though the developer clearly designed the leaders to have some mechanical synergy with historically appropriate civilizations; these pairings are even given special labeling in the civilization-selection screen.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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His staff shielded him from spontaneous encounters with the media, stepping in to lead him away from unscripted situations.—
Nolan Finley,
Twin Cities,
31 Jan. 2025
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Think back to that love story where everything felt spontaneous and carefree — this could feel just like that but with a deeper, more romantic flair.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The feline's movement can trigger instinctive responses in dogs as a natural self-preservation mechanism.—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
-
His goal catalogue is varied, with plenty of instinctive snapshots with either foot plus an aerial threat.—
Roshane Thomas,
The Athletic,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In his speech, Krishna also pointed to Shannon’s work building robotic mice that solved mazes as an example of his enjoyment of play within his research.—
Ayesha Javed,
TIME,
10 Feb. 2025
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The Wrong Trousers centers on suspicious penguin Feathers McGraw, who moves in with the duo and hatches a nefarious plan for the robotic Techno Trousers that Wallace has invented to walk Gromit.—
Ryan Gajewski,
The Hollywood Reporter,
9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Two PhD researchers at University of California San Diego (UCSD) spoke with Newsweek about how the threat of cuts from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the sudden disappearance of research grants, have left the scientific community reeling.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
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Linda Ward-Smith, president of her local AFGE union chapter in Las Vegas, said of the sudden buyout offer.—
Joey Garrison,
USA TODAY,
6 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 16 Feb. 2025.
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