AUTOMATIC Synonyms: 146 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

automatic 1 of 2

adjective

ˌȯ-tə-ˈma-tik

Definition of automatic

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

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

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

Set up automatic transfers Explore savings options to help your money go further. — Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026 Unlike the above scenarios, medical refunds are not automatic. — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026

Noun

Indeed, if the manual gearbox had the DSG automatic's ratios, the paragraphs above would have a very different tenor. — ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025 Notre Dame is simply trying to figure out how to make the automatics automatic. — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for automatic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for automatic

Adjective

In those environments, workers are forced to absorb the mechanical friction that the system failed to accommodate.

— Allan Malcolm, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Traditionally, shrinking these grains required violent mechanical force.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of mechanical

Noun

Miller was arrested Tuesday after a traffic stop where authorities found him allegedly in possession of two handguns equipped with a machine gun conversion device, according to a federal complaint.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026
The Nazis appear to be constructing bunkers and fortifying machine gun nests here at the border.

— Danielle Parker, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of machine gun

Adjective

At the University of Tokyo, researchers have even grown living human skin over robotic digits to wrinkle naturally and mend wounds with collagen.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2026
The moon is a historical landmark — a celestial body continually peppered with robotic landers shot from our home planet, as well as human footprints planted there by a dozen visiting moonwalkers from 1969 to 1972.

— Leonard David, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of robotic

Noun

Authorities say Ortiz raked Rihanna’s home and an Airstream trailer parked on her Beverly Crest property with bullets from an assault rifle March 8.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
The need for any person to openly brandish a sidearm or a person to carry an assault rifle on his shoulder is absolute insanity.

— Dan Sweeney, Sun Sentinel, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of assault rifle

Adjective

But the tale of that Thursday’s spontaneous, viral resistance is narrated by its proud participants.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Every piece of marketing that shows the licensed product—a social post, an ad, even a spontaneous Instagram Reel—needs prior approval, which is a real adjustment for e-commerce brands used to posting the moment something sells out.

— David Born, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of spontaneous

Browse Nearby Words

automated

automatic

automatically

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“Automatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/automatic. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of automatic

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