instinctive
Americanadjective
-
of, relating to, or of the nature of instinct.
-
prompted by or resulting from or as if from instinct; natural; unlearned.
an instinctive will to survive.
- Synonyms:
- unpremeditated, intuitive, spontaneous
adjective
-
of, relating to, or resulting from instinct
-
conditioned so as to appear innate
an instinctive movement in driving
Other Word Forms
- half-instinctive adjective
- instinctively adverb
- instinctually adverb
- noninstinctive adjective
- noninstinctual adjective
- semi-instinctive adjective
- uninstinctive adjective
- uninstinctiveness noun
Etymology
Origin of instinctive
First recorded in 1640–50; instinct 1 + -ive
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When a nameless secretary drops a sheaf of papers, Kornev’s response to help is instinctive, yet we cringe at the careless faux pas he commits in this unfeeling society.
From Los Angeles Times
Parkinson was more accepting of the decision, refusing to blame Brunt for his instinctive goalline touch and suggesting Moore's header would have hit the post.
From BBC
Zelensky showed immediately that he was an instinctive war leader, a born communicator who was able to rally his people.
From BBC
"It's a primitive sport, almost instinctive for human beings," Yuji Ano, president of the tournament's organising committee, told AFP.
From Barron's
Their best route is to play what is instinctive to them.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
