counterintuitive

[ koun-ter-in-too-i-tiv, -tyoo- ]

adjective

1. counter to what intuition would lead one to expect:

   The direction we had to follow was counterintuitive—we had to go north first before we went south.

counterintuitive

/ ˌkaʊntərɪnˈtjuːɪtɪv /

adjective

1. (of an idea, proposal, etc) seemingly contrary to common sense
2. intelligence collected about enemy espionage

Word History and Origins

Origin of counterintuitive¹

First recorded in 1960–65; counter- + intuitive

Example Sentences

This counterintuitive result is perhaps explained by the fact that quarterbacks often hold the ball longer when their receivers are covered, or when the defense is giving them a look that they’re not used to seeing.

From FiveThirtyEight

Prioritize time for restorative and protective careIt may sound counterintuitive to recommend carving out time for something other than work when you are totally behind on work, but this time matters.

From Washington Post

The study of the human immune system and how vaccines influence it is complex and sometimes counterintuitive, and the deployment of a new method for immunization based on mRNA has made it all the more confusing.

From Popular-Science

Such counterintuitive behavior can be harnessed to allow new types of communication.

From Science News

That someone who has built her brand on the concept of decluttering your life and your home would then sell you more things strikes some as counterintuitive.

From Fortune

But his solution to this metastasizing threat is, in some ways, counterintuitive.

From The Daily Beast

Freed from her guitar, but wearing counterintuitive pumps, she leaned back like a trapeze artist.

From The Daily Beast

That such a victory would be seen as a surprise would have seemed counterintuitive not so long ago.

From The Daily Beast

It was a delightful, counterintuitive concept, perfectly suited to the philosophy, attitude, and technology of the Internet.

From The Daily Beast

The fact that atheists are apparently as moral as believers will be counterintuitive to some.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• unreasonable