instinctive

Also in·stinc·tu·al

[in-stingk-tiv]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or of the nature of instinct.

2. prompted by or resulting from or as if from instinct; natural; unlearned.

   an instinctive will to survive.

   Synonyms: unpremeditated, intuitive, spontaneous

instinctive

/ ɪnˈstɪŋktɪv /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resulting from instinct

2. conditioned so as to appear innate

   an instinctive movement in driving

Other Word Forms

• instinctively adverb
• instinctually adverb
• half-instinctive adjective
• noninstinctive adjective
• noninstinctual adjective
• semi-instinctive adjective
• uninstinctive adjective
• uninstinctiveness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of instinctive¹

First recorded in 1640–50; instinct ¹ + -ive

Example Sentences

“My hope is that you don’t end up with instinctive, very strong opposition to the U.S.-Israel relationship, through the entire Democratic Party.”

Read more on Salon

You just don't see instinctive goals like that very often, certainly not from a player 15 minutes into his senior international debut.

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He "sent it" around the outside with full commitment, and caught Piastri - an instinctive and clinical racer himself, normally - unawares.

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Forest said Marinakis' decision to go on to the pitch was "instinctive" and "human", showing "just how much this team and its people mean to him".

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All those years of churning out newsweekly copy helped make Whitaker an instinctive crafter of miniature character arcs who chooses the right details and paints portraits with swift, economical strokes.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• impulsive 
• ingrained 
• inherent 
• innate 
• intuitive 
• natural 
• spontaneous 
• visceral