knee-jerk reaction

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.

My immediate knee-jerk reaction to your portfolio is that you have nearly 39% of your total holdings in stocks, which is OK.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

That kind of knee-jerk reaction seems ripe to even out as panic gives way to more measured trading.

From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026

"It's the same sort of knee-jerk reaction and then they'll shrug their shoulders and say 'well this is how it is now'."

From BBC • Jul. 15, 2025

"It was this stupid knee-jerk reaction to dig deeper and keep lying," Erin told the court.

From BBC • Jul. 7, 2025

It’s a knee-jerk reaction, so fast I forget for a second that I’m furious at him.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith