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Some common synonyms of automatic<\/em> are impulsive<\/em><\/a>, instinctive<\/em><\/a>, mechanical<\/em><\/a>, and spontaneous<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"acting or activated without deliberation,\" automatic<\/em> implies action engaging neither the mind nor the emotions and connotes a predictable response.<\/p>

\/\/ his denial was automatic<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'impulsive' be a reasonable alternative to 'automatic'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms impulsive<\/em><\/a> and automatic<\/em> are close in meaning, impulsive<\/em> implies acting under stress of emotion or spirit of the moment.<\/p>

\/\/ impulsive<\/em> acts of violence<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'instinctive' be used to replace 'automatic'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words instinctive<\/em><\/a> and automatic<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but instinctive<\/em> stresses action involving neither judgment nor will.<\/p>

\/\/ blinking is an instinctive<\/em> reaction<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'mechanical' be a good substitute for 'automatic'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words mechanical<\/em><\/a> and automatic<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, mechanical<\/em> stresses the lifeless, often perfunctory character of the response.<\/p>

\/\/ a mechanical<\/em> teaching method<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'spontaneous' instead of 'automatic'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of spontaneous<\/em><\/a> and automatic<\/em> largely overlap; however, spontaneous<\/em> implies lack of prompting and connotes naturalness.<\/p>

\/\/ a spontaneous<\/em> burst of applause<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How is the word 'automatic' distinct from other similar adjectives?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Some common synonyms of automatic<\/em> are impulsive<\/em><\/a>, instinctive<\/em><\/a>, mechanical<\/em><\/a>, and spontaneous<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"acting or activated without deliberation,\" automatic<\/em> implies action engaging neither the mind nor the emotions and connotes a predictable response.<\/p>

\/\/ his denial was automatic<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'impulsive' be a reasonable alternative to 'automatic'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms impulsive<\/em><\/a> and automatic<\/em> are close in meaning, impulsive<\/em> implies acting under stress of emotion or spirit of the moment.<\/p>

\/\/ impulsive<\/em> acts of violence<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'instinctive' be used to replace 'automatic'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words instinctive<\/em><\/a> and automatic<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but instinctive<\/em> stresses action involving neither judgment nor will.<\/p>

\/\/ blinking is an instinctive<\/em> reaction<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'mechanical' be a good substitute for 'automatic'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words mechanical<\/em><\/a> and automatic<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, mechanical<\/em> stresses the lifeless, often perfunctory character of the response.<\/p>

\/\/ a mechanical<\/em> teaching method<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'spontaneous' instead of 'automatic'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of spontaneous<\/em><\/a> and automatic<\/em> largely overlap; however, spontaneous<\/em> implies lack of prompting and connotes naturalness.<\/p>

\/\/ a spontaneous<\/em> burst of applause<\/p>" } } ] }

automatic 1 of 2

adjective

ˌȯ-tÉ™-ˈma-tik How to pronounce automatic (audio)
Definition of automaticnext
1
as in mechanical
done instantly and without conscious thought or decision Carl's automatic use of the brakes narrowly averted a collision

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in automated
designed to replace or decrease human labor and especially physical labor liked the ease of an automatic floor cleaner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

automatic

2 of 2

noun

as in machine gun

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word automatic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of automatic are impulsive, instinctive, mechanical, and spontaneous. While all these words mean "acting or activated without deliberation," automatic implies action engaging neither the mind nor the emotions and connotes a predictable response.

his denial was automatic

Where would impulsive be a reasonable alternative to automatic?

While the synonyms impulsive and automatic are close in meaning, impulsive implies acting under stress of emotion or spirit of the moment.

impulsive acts of violence

When could instinctive be used to replace automatic?

The words instinctive and automatic can be used in similar contexts, but instinctive stresses action involving neither judgment nor will.

blinking is an instinctive reaction

When would mechanical be a good substitute for automatic?

In some situations, the words mechanical and automatic are roughly equivalent. However, mechanical stresses the lifeless, often perfunctory character of the response.

a mechanical teaching method

When is it sensible to use spontaneous instead of automatic?

The meanings of spontaneous and automatic largely overlap; however, spontaneous implies lack of prompting and connotes naturalness.

a spontaneous burst of applause

How is the word automatic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of automatic are impulsive, instinctive, mechanical, and spontaneous. While all these words mean "acting or activated without deliberation," automatic implies action engaging neither the mind nor the emotions and connotes a predictable response.

his denial was automatic

Where would impulsive be a reasonable alternative to automatic?

While the synonyms impulsive and automatic are close in meaning, impulsive implies acting under stress of emotion or spirit of the moment.

impulsive acts of violence

When could instinctive be used to replace automatic?

The words instinctive and automatic can be used in similar contexts, but instinctive stresses action involving neither judgment nor will.

blinking is an instinctive reaction

When would mechanical be a good substitute for automatic?

In some situations, the words mechanical and automatic are roughly equivalent. However, mechanical stresses the lifeless, often perfunctory character of the response.

a mechanical teaching method

When is it sensible to use spontaneous instead of automatic?

The meanings of spontaneous and automatic largely overlap; however, spontaneous implies lack of prompting and connotes naturalness.

a spontaneous burst of applause

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 automatic
Adjective
Since 1998, Gonzaga won the conference tournament title, and the automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament that came with it, 22 times, and Saint Mary’s four times. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 21 Mar. 2026 Sparty was efficient off the glass and automatic at the foul line versus North Dakota State. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Noun
Notre Dame is simply trying to figure out how to make the automatics automatic. —Pete Sampson, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 The gearbox offerings will likely include 6-speed manuals and 8-speed automatics. —Michael Harley, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for automatic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for automatic
  1. mechanical
  2. automated
  3. machine gun
  4. robotic
  5. assault rifle
  6. reflex
  7. carbine
  8. spontaneous
Adjective
  • Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2026
  • These materials reflect the efficiency of natural systems while offering exceptional mechanical and functional properties for industrial use.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of mechanical
Adjective
  • The limits will be largely enforced by the city’s school zone speed cameras, roughly 2,400 of which are authorized to issue automated tickets.
    — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
  • The new speed camera program is the result of a 2023 state law that authorized six cities to conduct five-year pilots of the automated camera systems.
    — Kate Talerico, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of automated
Noun
  • The charges were trafficking in firearms, possession of a machine gun and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime.
    — Ryan Oehrli March 13, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Players can acquire four melee weapons — a katana, a spear, knuckles and a heavy sword — and four firearms — a pistol, a machine gun, a shotgun and a rocket launcher.
    — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of machine gun
Adjective
  • The 25-year-old’s relentless work in the batting cage and weight room has earned him the reputation for being a bit robotic.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
  • The team is also developing a next-generation robotic hand to address swelling in harder-to-treat areas, expanding the potential of soft-robotic therapy beyond wearable sleeves.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of robotic
Noun
  • Oakland Police Department The searches also yielded six dirt bikes, one vehicle, two semiautomatic pistols and an assault rifle.
    — Tim Fang, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Robicheaux agreed to plead guilty to possessing an assault rifle and psychedelic mushrooms that were found during a police search of his home and was sentenced to probation.
    — Sean Emery, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of assault rifle
Adjective
  • Every time missiles fly over the Middle East, the same reflex kicks in: Traders panic, headlines scream about $100 oil, and columnists invoke the 1973 Arab oil embargo.
    — Wael Mahdi, semafor.com, 1 Mar. 2026
  • There was a reflex stop on a David Kämpf flash rebound in the second period.
    — Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Definition of reflex
Noun
  • Fresh off a surprise cosign from Aespa member Giselle, zayok is one of the leaders of an amorphous digital scene that includes gunk and sydney runner, whose music iterates on carbine-y wonkiness to form a new kind of balladry halfway between SoundCloud IDM, rap, and voice memo.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The Rip, from the director Joe Carnahan, is a cop drama where macho guys (and gals) tote carbine rifles and grunt law-enforcement lingo—the kind of crime-genre pablum that commonly gets thrown onto Netflix in mid-January.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
Definition of carbine
Adjective
  • Even a spontaneous side order of roasted carrots with pomegranate yogurt is haunting me, in a wonderful way.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Mar. 2026
  • And Stanford forbade spontaneous demonstrations across much of campus.
    — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of spontaneous

Browse Nearby Words

automated
automatic
automatically
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Cite this Entry

“Automatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/automatic. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of automatic for Spanish Speakers

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