intuitively

[in-too-i-tiv-lee, -tyoo-]

adverb

1. by means of direct perception, an instinctive inner sense, or gut feeling rather than rational thought.

   They’ve been married so long, they know intuitively how best to support each other.

2. in a way that is easy to understand or operate without explicit instruction.

   The website is an invaluable resource that is intuitively designed, making it a simple task to search for a suitable doctor.

Other Word Forms

• nonintuitively adverb
• quasi-intuitively adverb
• unintuitively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of intuitively¹

intuitive ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

The harms of artificial legal costs are obvious enough that everyday consumers understand them intuitively.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Even as retailers slash prices this weekend, in the context of broader economic trends, Hassan said, “intuitively, it doesn’t feel like the deals are a life changer.”

Read more on MarketWatch

“Something that everybody experienced were shortages and panic during the pandemic. And intuitively, Americans know that if you produce something here, that’s less likely to happen,” Paul said.

Read more on MarketWatch

“Art was added intuitively, based on where it felt right in the landscape. Over time, that spontaneity evolved into something more intentional,” she says.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Of course, Michael intuitively realizes that new beginnings can be messy.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• allegedly 
• ostensibly 
• possibly 
• probably 
• supposedly