instinctively

Also in·stinc·tu·al·ly

[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 Word Forms

• half-instinctively adverb
• noninstinctively adverb
• noninstinctually adverb
• semi-instinctively adverb
• uninstinctively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of instinctively¹

instinctive ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

And then there was a new camp, a percentage that came in that would’ve otherwise never had a chance, because they could adapt instinctively to this other tool.

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"Politically, it's not a priority for me, but that's where I instinctively lie, knowing that the Royal Family is very important to other people."

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Bond market investors, like bond market traders, viscerally resisted any trade that they had to pay money to be in, and instinctively sought out trades that paid them just for showing up in the morning.

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At home, he hopes that the natural sympathy of many American Christians for their African fellow believers can provide political backing for a more engaged Africa policy than most America firsters would instinctively support.

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He writes in his memoir that he "instinctively sensed how to play Hannibal. I have the devil in me. We all have the devil in us, I know what scares people".

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Related Words

• intuitively 
• naturally