spontaneous

adjective

spän-ˈtā-nē-əs How to pronounce spontaneous (audio)
Definition of spontaneousnext
as in automatic
done instantly and without conscious thought or decision recoiling when a wasp is near is simply a spontaneous reaction

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word spontaneous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of spontaneous are automatic, impulsive, instinctive, and mechanical. While all these words mean "acting or activated without deliberation," spontaneous implies lack of prompting and connotes naturalness.

a spontaneous burst of applause

In what contexts can automatic take the place of spontaneous?

The meanings of automatic and spontaneous largely overlap; however, automatic implies action engaging neither the mind nor the emotions and connotes a predictable response.

his denial was automatic

When is it sensible to use impulsive instead of spontaneous?

In some situations, the words impulsive and spontaneous are roughly equivalent. However, impulsive implies acting under stress of emotion or spirit of the moment.

impulsive acts of violence

When could instinctive be used to replace spontaneous?

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

blinking is an instinctive reaction

Where would mechanical be a reasonable alternative to spontaneous?

The words mechanical and spontaneous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mechanical stresses the lifeless, often perfunctory character of the response.

a mechanical teaching method

Example 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 spontaneous On May 17, the sun will join forces with change-maker Uranus in Taurus, which is equivalent to a spontaneous, unpredictable or erratic shift that could feel like too much too soon. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 9 May 2025 Familiarity breeds excitement, and an old score feels suddenly spontaneous. —Justin Davidson, Vulture, 2 May 2025 Be spontaneous and embark on local adventures with Venus back in Aries. —Usa Today, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025 What begins as a seemingly spontaneous family journey gradually reveals deeper layers of both grief and resilience, as Ella starts to sense that her father’s intentions may be masking a more profound truth. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spontaneous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spontaneous
  1. automatic
  2. mechanical
  3. sudden
  4. reflex
  5. robotic
  6. instinctive
  7. mechanic
  8. simple
Adjective
  • Healthcare providers can offer automatic payment plans as an alternative to allowing unpaid invoices to accumulate and sending patients to collections.
    — Samad Syed, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • Every reliever except Yuki Matsui has been complicit, though Jeremiah Estrada’s unearned run came after the automatic runner was placed on second in the 10th inning on Wednesday.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2025
Definition of automatic
Adjective
  • Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2025
  • The company's debut product, an all-black keyboard with no key labels, put mechanical keyboards on the radar of computer geeks and general consumers alike.
    — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 10 May 2025
Definition of mechanical
Adjective
  • His retirement wasn’t sudden, and the scheduling team has slowly been preparing for this transition over the past few years.
    — Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 13 May 2025
  • The boom in housing demand during these years resulted in a sudden surge in home values and prices in the state, which in turn encouraged an explosion in new construction projects.
    — Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Definition of sudden
Adjective
  • In addition, the bass reflex port on these speakers is front-facing, which means that they can be placed close to walls without risk of distortion.
    — Brad Moon, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • But ultimately, the week ended with a pretty good array of extremes in selling pressure and hedging demand of the sort that should turn the risk-reward more favorable for a reflex bounce before too long.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of reflex
Adjective
  • Through robotic production line, Losanje manages to transform finished textile products — from clothing to bedsheets and curtains, among other goods — into ready-to-reuse fabrics.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 16 May 2025
  • The goofy novelty of AI making adequate songs out of taboo subjects will fade, but millions bending the knee to robotic mediocrity isn’t going away anytime soon.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 14 May 2025
Definition of robotic
Adjective
  • Palace also look to exploit Wharton’s instinctive ball progression from defensive set pieces.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 15 May 2025
  • The industrial metaverse can capture and scale some very intricate knowledge, including the instinctive skills and judgment of veteran workers, into immersive digital twins.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Definition of instinctive
Adjective
  • Home in foreclosure, a mobile mechanic Online records show that his Canby Street home was in foreclosure last year and sold in September for $60,000.
    — Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
  • In the footage, a large coastal carpet python rests on a mechanic shop's floor.
    — Kelli Bender, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of mechanic
Adjective
  • The religious symbol was decorated with white florals and greenery, and served as the backdrop to Pell and James' simple and serene ceremony.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 12 May 2025
  • Style them with a simple tank for a casual day out, or add a blazer and ballet flats for a more polished airport look.
    — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2025
Definition of simple

Browse Nearby Words

spontaneity
spontaneous
spontaneously
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Cite this Entry

“Spontaneous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spontaneous. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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