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

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