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automatically

automatically

77 2.9
Without thinking, as a natural reaction
  • adverb
  • /ˌɔːtəməˈtɪkli/
translation icon : instintivamente
  • That is, it all happens automatically without conscious thought or effort.
  • automatically assume
  • automatically think
  • students will automatically

If you feel the pelvic floor automatically, you have done a full breath.

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Examples

  • The problem-solving part of your brain works automatically and will respond to whatever you ask it.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Why do you guys automatically take his side?

  • So people just automatically think of something.

  • We just automatically say no to our ideas.

  • Well, this automatically puts you in the friend zone.

  • What I mean by "no" is that we do not automatically become smarter simply by listening to music.

    Academic text (2015)
  • And everyone would automatically assume that they had something to do with it, and you would just deny it.

  • But we're also wired to respond automatically in a way which reveals this bias.

  • As predicted, by writing personal narratives, students automatically engaged in identity construction.

    Academic text (2015)
  • When the light turns red, cars stop automatically without any driver intervention.

Synonyms

instinctively
vsautomatically
58 3.9

To act without thinking as a natural reaction

is wider, covering reflexes, habits, and other nonconscious actions too
spontaneously
vsautomatically
48 4.4

To act naturally without planning or being forced

is different, focusing on actions done without conscious thought or inner urge
subconsciously
vsautomatically
31 5.8

Without thinking, your mind is not aware

is narrower, stressing body reflexes or inner urges rather than hidden mental influence
involuntarily
vsautomatically
23 5.5

Not done on purpose or by choice

is similar but usually emphasizes lack of choice rather than neutral nonconscious action
on autopilot
vsautomatically
  • Informal
20 4.1

Doing tasks without thinking because of habit

is similar but focuses more on reflexive or instinctive causes than learned habit
reflexively
vsautomatically
12 5.4

To act without thinking because of a quick physical reaction

is broader, also including instinctive or learned reactions as well as sudden responses
instinctually
vsautomatically
2 6.3

To act without thinking because of a natural feeling

is broader, applying to reflex or other nonconscious behaviors as well
unprompted
vsautomatically
2 6.2

Done without being asked

is broader, covering all actions without conscious thought not only those without prompting
reflexly
vsautomatically
  • Specialized
9.8

Automatically and without thinking as the body reacts

is broader, covering other nonconscious causes like inner urges or habit
autonomically
vsautomatically
  • Specialized
7.4

Works by itself without someone controlling it, like a heating system

is more technical, meaning bodily self regulation not just absence of conscious thought

Antonyms

89 3.7

On purpose while fully aware of what you are doing

How Automatic

reflexively
12 5.4
automatically
77 2.9
habitually
10 3.7
deliberately
320 3.7

Surface Forms

automatically positive

Morphology

automatically = automatic (transparent) = automatic + ally

Derived from 'automatic' with the regular adverbial suffix '-ally'; the sense 'without conscious thought' is a direct adjectival-to-adverbial meaning extension.

Etymology

The word automatically also comes from the part auto- meaning 'self', as in autograph. That idea of being 'self-acting' helps explain the second meaning: something you do automatically is done 'without thinking', like a reflex.