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

Political messages sent through an automatic telephone dialing system generally require prior express consent before reaching your cellphone. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026 Wordfence also warned that the fix can’t be installed using automatic updates, so site owners need to find out who is responsible for updating PHP to apply the patch manually. — Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 21 Oct. 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

Bushings are parts designed to reduce friction and absorb shock in various mechanical assemblies.

— Graham Kates, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
These components are designed to withstand extreme temperatures and mechanical stress.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of mechanical

Adjective

The system monitors equipment conditions, identifies abnormalities, and can initiate automated responses.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
The Stop Flock Abuse Act would regulate automated license plate readers by imposing stricter limits on data, security and search functions.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of automated

Adjective

Five of the world's space agencies joined forces for the five-year mission that will attempt to land a robotic prospector and a rover on Phobos, the larger and closer of Mars' two pint-sized moons.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
The experiment, conducted by computer scientists at Binghamton University in New York, exposed a security weakness in large language models (LLMs) used to plan robotic actions.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of robotic

Noun

Then in 1989, an assailant attacked an elementary school in Stockton, California, using an assault rifle to kill five people and wound 29, prompting public outcry and calls to restrict such weapons.

— Robert Spitzer, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
According to the complaint, Mohamud knowingly received a firearm and ammunition, including a Norinco AK-47 assault rifle and approximately 200 live rounds of ammunition, to commit a felony and a federal crime of terrorism.

— Whitney Wild, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of assault rifle

Adjective

Much like her character Klara, Ortega chooses to have faith in humans and their spontaneous wonder.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Celine’s Michael Rider leads a pack of creatives who seek spontaneous styling, embrace imperfection, and refuse to be bound by rules.

— Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of spontaneous

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automated

automatic

automatically

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

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Synonyms of automatic

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