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Definition of kneejerk

kneejerk

/ˈniːˌdʒɜːrk/
knee · jerk
Plural:kneejerks
•
Adjective:kneejerk
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kneejerk Lexical Profile

kneejerk Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Automatic, predictable, and done without prior thought or reflection.

Example

"The committee avoided a kneejerk reaction to the budget shortfall and instead commissioned a thorough audit."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• noun

1

An involuntary forward kick of the lower leg produced by tapping the patellar tendon just below the kneecap, used clinically to test nervous system reflexes.

Example

"The neurologist lightly tapped the tendon with a rubber mallet to test the patient's kneejerk."

2

An immediate, unthinking, and predictable response to a situation or stimulus.

Example

"Rejecting the proposal outright was a pure kneejerk rather than a carefully weighed decision."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

kneeboarding
kneecap
kneeholly
kneejerk
kneel
kneeler
kneepad

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Kneejerk. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 3, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/kneejerk
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