mechanical

adjective

mi-ˈka-ni-kəl How to pronounce mechanical (audio)
Definition of mechanicalnext
1
as in automatic
done instantly and without conscious thought or decision the waiter's mechanical reply of "Everything on the menu is good"

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unnatural
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality a somewhat mechanical vocal performance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word mechanical distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of mechanical are automatic, impulsive, instinctive, and spontaneous. While all these words mean "acting or activated without deliberation," mechanical stresses the lifeless, often perfunctory character of the response.

a mechanical teaching method

When might automatic be a better fit than mechanical?

While in some cases nearly identical to mechanical, automatic implies action engaging neither the mind nor the emotions and connotes a predictable response.

his denial was automatic

When would impulsive be a good substitute for mechanical?

While the synonyms impulsive and mechanical are close in meaning, impulsive implies acting under stress of emotion or spirit of the moment.

impulsive acts of violence

When can instinctive be used instead of mechanical?

The synonyms instinctive and mechanical are sometimes interchangeable, but instinctive stresses action involving neither judgment nor will.

blinking is an instinctive reaction

When is spontaneous a more appropriate choice than mechanical?

Although the words spontaneous and mechanical have much in common, spontaneous implies lack of prompting and connotes naturalness.

a spontaneous burst of applause

Examples 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 mechanical An unexpected mechanical failure resulted in a damaging wreck, casting a long shadow over his aspirations for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4. —David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024 Bernard says the fantastical ideas dreamed up by the house foster new mechanical achievements. —Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2024 Because the mechanical shark didn’t work, Spielberg was forced to pull back on it and instead rely on the theme as a stand-in for its unseen evocation of terror. —Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 31 Oct. 2024 An intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is a type of mechanical device used to assist blood flow. —Christopher Lee, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mechanical 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mechanical
  1. automatic
  2. unnatural
  3. robotic
  4. mock
  5. mechanic
  6. strained
  7. reflex
  8. artificial
Adjective
  • Some would offer only a few settings and didn’t have an automatic shutoff timer option either.
    Ali Faccenda, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Worth mentioning: After UT received more than 70,000 applications this year, the university tightened its enrollment requirements, approving only the top 5% of each high school senior class for automatic admission for applicants in 2026.
    Asher Price, Axios, 18 Nov. 2024
Definition of automatic
Adjective
  • The video appeared to have been substantially manipulated, with unnatural facial expressions and a robotic voice, according to a CNN analysis using deepfake detector tools.
    Michael Conte, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
  • Just make sure to only use mold-free pumpkins that haven’t been treated with paint or other unnatural products.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2024
Definition of unnatural
Adjective
  • Would there be robotic surgeries or emergency ambulances?
    Lily Kepner, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Generic garbage with weird phrases and a robotic structure.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Definition of robotic
Adjective
  • Our team spent four months building a minute-by-minute playbook, conducting two full-scale mock cutovers and stress-testing every critical system.
    Sidharth Ramsinghaney, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Experience mock classes led by prominent professors, explore diverse legal career paths, and receive personalized admissions guidance.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 3 Nov. 2024
Definition of mock
Adjective
  • Harroun installed it with a bracket above the dashboard rather than have a mechanic ride in the race with him, as was the custom of the day.
    George Petras, USA TODAY, 24 May 2024
  • When Part 4 was released in August 2023, mechanic Bennie was losing his garage.
    Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 17 Apr. 2024
Definition of mechanic
Adjective
  • In the memoir, which came out on Nov. 19, White provided some insight about the strained relationship.
    Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Leighton Meester and Luke Cook star as sibling detectives who don’t always see eye-to-eye, working together to solve crimes – and the strained relationship with their police chief father (Clancy Brown).
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024
Definition of strained
Adjective
  • For one thing, markets had not significantly anticipated a Trump win in 2016, and indeed there was a reflex selloff on election night, which quickly reversed.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2024
  • Based on the title character from the Netflix show Vida the Vet, this kit contains five sensory toys for treating patients, including a stethoscope with sound effects and reflex hammer.
    Pamela Brill, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024
Definition of reflex
Adjective
  • Aedes aegypti mosquitoes do not need much water to reproduce and tend to lay eggs just above the water line in small, artificial sources of water, like buckets, pet dishes, fountains and bird baths, plant pots and saucers and old tires.
    Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
  • The series intends Penn to be a contrast point, to make her smooth wheeling and dealing feel artificial compared with Wyler’s more passionate righteousness, but her presence ends up emphasizing how hollow Wyler’s character actually feels.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
Definition of artificial

Thesaurus Entries Near mechanical

mechanic

mechanical

mechanics

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Mechanical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mechanical. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mechanical

Nglish: Translation of mechanical for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of mechanical for Arabic Speakers

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