instinctively

[ in-stingk-tiv-lee ]

adverb

1. in a way that is innate, unlearned, or not under conscious control:

   A smiling mouth raises the pitch of the voice, which is instinctively perceived as less dominant and more approachable.

   My few friends were often unavailable for play, so I instinctively turned to the family dog.

2. in a way that stems from natural insight or inclination; intuitively:

   The exhibits are intended to be used instinctively, and the instructions and explanations are easy to understand.

Other Words From

• half-in·stinc·tive·ly adverb
• non·in·stinc·tive·ly adverb
• non·in·stinc·tu·al·ly adverb
• sem·i-in·stinc·tive·ly adverb
• un·in·stinc·tive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of instinctively¹

instinctive ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

You might still find yourself pausing, instinctively, over concerns about Covid-19 vaccination.

From Quartz

Logan said that although this is instinctively jarring to creatives, it’s actually a development brands should not be afraid to embrace and that it can free creative teams to concentrate on other areas where their work is needed.

From Digiday

It’s easy to think that hiring a professional will mean they instinctively know exactly what the team wants.

From Digiday

That’s similar to what you might instinctively do when the ground below is shaken — crouch to keep from falling down.

From Quanta Magazine

Keeping track of time is something we do instinctively, and our instincts have recently been supplemented by cultural inventions such as clocks and calendars, which train our brains to map its instincts onto scales and increments.

From Nautilus

Or perhaps we instinctively classify Cubans as a people accustomed to being told what it is they need and want.

From The Daily Beast

And he instinctively understood the marketplace—whether of ideas or something more concrete.

From The Daily Beast

Most Republicans blanch instinctively at the political rhetoric of “the new Cleveland.”

From The Daily Beast

As citizens of a multiethnic country that is only about 60 percent ethnic Persian, every Iranian instinctively understands this.

From The Daily Beast

Instinctively, Obama talks about rising inequality, global warming, and attacks on college campuses.

From The Daily Beast

The motherly woman received the babe instinctively and cast aside the travelling-rug in which he was enveloped.

From Project Gutenberg

Instinctively he tried to hide both pain and anger—it could only increase this distance that was already there.

From Project Gutenberg

Bonaparte already foresaw the day when France should lie at his feet; he instinctively divined in Bernadotte a possible rival.

From Project Gutenberg

She caught the hand which Oliver instinctively placed in hers, and, blowing out the light, drew him after her up the stairs.

From Project Gutenberg

His open brow lowered, and his fingers instinctively began playing with the hilt of his sabre.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• intuitively
• naturally