instinctively
Americanadverb
-
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.
-
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
Etymology
Origin of instinctively
Explanation
Acting instinctively means doing something without thinking because it comes naturally to you—like catching a ball thrown your way or dodging out of danger. The adverb instinctively comes from the noun instinct, which refers to "an innate, natural response." When you react instinctively, you’re relying on automatic impulses or "gut feelings," often without realizing it. For instance, if you instinctively reach out to catch a falling object or flinch when startled, your brain is bypassing conscious thought to help keep you safe.
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.
At this point, most of us instinctively reach for the salt.
From Salon ● Oct. 5, 2026
“It’s a level of skill set and longtime loyalty that cannot be replaced overnight. Because the president has been in this industry for five decades, he instinctively knows that.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026
Confronted with the inexplicable, Morewedge says, we instinctively turn to the “incredible psychological machinery that we have for thinking about how people behave.”
From Slate ● Sep. 27, 2026
Morgane Halimi, Sotheby's Global Head of Handbags and Fashion, said in a statement that Princess Diana "understood instinctively" that fashion can be a language in its own right.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
His own hands instinctively bolted up to pull his shirt down, but Moss stopped halfway, raising them again.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
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.
