SPONTANEOUS Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

spontaneous

adjective

spän-ˈtā-nē-əs

Definition of spontaneous next

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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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

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of spontaneous Small wonder the fantasy of rising above all of that through marrying Ivan — a unicorn customer who’s young, handsome, wealthy, gregarious, and spontaneous — would beckon to the otherwise pragmatic Ani. —

Lily Burana, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024 Even when perfectly still, Garr had so much going on, the zigzags in her character’s emotions and feelings doing all the dancing and keeping the scene alive and spontaneous. —

Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2024 Brian Cecilio Amaya, a lawyer representing Neal, filed a motion last year stating that the defense team doesn’t believe the anonymous call was truly spontaneous. —

Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 30 Oct. 2024 The project’s website compares the hypothetical Esmeralda experience to living on a college campus forever – with spontaneous community activity as a fundamental part of residents’ lifestyles. —

Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for spontaneous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spontaneous

Adjective

The incentive is selective, not automatic, and has a cap of $6.6BN (JPY1BN).

Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
Kentucky, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Virginia do have automatic recounts, but not for the presidential race.

Addy Bink, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024