knee jerk

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Everyone recognizes there is a growing antibiotic resistance crisis, and the knee jerk reaction is to develop new antibiotics," You added.

From Science Daily • Feb. 22, 2024

But a former cabinet minister - strongly opposed to withdrawal - described the idea as "knee jerk nonsense".

From BBC • Aug. 8, 2023

“This is a perfect example of a knee jerk ‘just do something’ mentality,” said Chris McNutt, president of Texas Gun Rights.

From Seattle Times • May 10, 2023

“It wouldn’t surprise us if the knee jerk reaction was to sell and the end of the day we’d be higher.’

From Reuters • Mar. 21, 2022

Anxious attention to the knee jerk inhibits it; gritting the teeth or clenching the fist reinforces it.

From Psychology A Study Of Mental Life by Woodworth, Robert S.