robotic
8 synonyms for robotic, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Relating to robots, or moving in a stiff, mechanical way that resembles one.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use robotic
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
robotic arm
robotic surgery
robotic movement
Etymology
From "robot" plus the adjective ending "-ic," coined by science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov in 1941.
Full origin of robotic →Frequently asked questions
What does “robotic” mean?
The word “robotic” means relating to robots, or moving in a stiff, mechanical way that resembles one. In plain terms, either "made by or relating to robots" or "moving/acting stiffly like a machine.".
How do you pronounce “robotic”?
“Robotic” is pronounced roh-BOT-ihk (/ɹoʊˈbɑtɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “robotic” in a sentence?
Here is “robotic” used in a sentence: “The warehouse now uses robotic arms to sort packages.”
What part of speech is “robotic”?
“Robotic” is an adjective.
Where does the word “robotic” come from?
The word “robotic” dates back to around 1941. From "robot" plus the adjective ending "-ic," coined by science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov in 1941.
Is “robotic” a common word?
“Robotic” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between "robotic" and "mechanical"?
"Robotic" specifically relates to robots or describes movement that resembles a robot's stiff, automated motion, often applied figuratively to human behavior. "Mechanical" more broadly describes anything relating to machines or machine-like function, and does not necessarily evoke robots specifically.
What is the difference between "robotic" and "automated"?
"Automated" describes a process or system that operates without human intervention, regardless of what it resembles physically. "Robotic" adds the specific quality of resembling a robot, either literally in machinery or figuratively in stiff, mechanical human movement.
What does it mean to describe a person's behavior as "robotic"?
When applied to a person, "robotic" figuratively describes movement, speech, or manner that seems stiff, repetitive, and mechanical, lacking natural human spontaneity or emotion, as though the person were moving like a machine.
