Automatic (Adjective)
Meaning 1
Without volition or conscious control; "the automatic shrinking of the pupils of the eye in strong light"; "a reflex knee jerk"; "sneezing is reflexive".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The nervous system's automatic response to the injury was to send pain signals to the brain.
- When she walked into the bright sunlight, her automatic squinting helped to protect her eyes.
- His automatic flinch when he saw the snake was an instinctual reaction to the potential threat.
- The doctor checked the patient's automatic reflexes to determine the extent of the spinal cord damage.
- The body's automatic response to the infection was to increase its production of white blood cells.
Synonyms
Meaning 2
Operating with minimal human intervention; independent of external control; "automatic transmission"; "a budget deficit that caused automatic spending cuts".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Antonyms
Related Words
Meaning 3
Resembling the unthinking functioning of a machine; "an automatic `thank you'"; "machinelike efficiency".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- She responded with an automatic smile whenever someone complimented her, even if she didn't feel like smiling.
- The teacher was so used to the question that her answer became automatic and lacked conviction.
- He always apologized with an automatic 'sorry' even when he wasn't truly remorseful.
- The receptionist's greeting had become automatic and she didn't even notice the people she was speaking to.
- The years of training had turned the pilot's responses into automatic reflexes, ensuring safety even in critical situations.