instinctive

[ in-stingk-tiv ]

/ ɪnˈstɪŋk tɪv /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR instinctive ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

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.

RELATED WORDS

naturally, intuitively

Nearby words

Also in·stinc·tu·al

[in-stingk-choo-uhl] /ɪnˈstɪŋk tʃu əl/.

Origin of instinctive

First recorded in 1640–50; instinct¹ + -ive

SYNONYMS FOR instinctive

2. spontaneous, intuitive, unpremeditated.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR instinctive ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

in·stinc·tive·ly, in·stinc·tu·al·ly, adverbhalf-in·stinc·tive, adjectivehalf-in·stinc·tive·ly, adverbnon·in·stinc·tive, adjective

non·in·stinc·tive·ly, adverbnon·in·stinc·tu·al, adjectivenon·in·stinc·tu·al·ly, adverbsem·i-in·stinc·tive, adjectivesem·i-in·stinc·tive·ly, adverbun·in·stinc·tive, adjectiveun·in·stinc·tive·ly, adverbun·in·stinc·tive·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for instinctively

Or perhaps we instinctively classify Cubans as a people accustomed to being told what it is they need and want.
Castro's Hipster Apologists Want to Keep Cuba ‘Authentically’ Poor|Michael Moynihan|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And he instinctively understood the marketplace—whether of ideas or something more concrete.
Oh Yes, He’s The Great Connector: Jason Hirschhorn’s Expertly Curated World|Lloyd Grove|October 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As citizens of a multiethnic country that is only about 60 percent ethnic Persian, every Iranian instinctively understands this.
Iran Is the Biggest Loser in Iraq|Aki Peritz|June 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Instinctively, Obama talks about rising inequality, global warming, and attacks on college campuses.
Obama Can Speak to His Base, but Other Americans Want More|Lloyd Green|May 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

But when I pulled her toward me to comfort her and tell her that I was sorry, she instinctively flexed her muscles to deflect me.
When An Adopted Child Won’t Attach|Tina Traster|May 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The two horses, instinctively drawing close together, turned their tails to the driving flakes.
Two on the Trail|Hulbert Footner
Instinctively she knew that in that eleventh hour she must offer all she had.
The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories|Ethel M. Dell
Her heart began to beat with the fierce impulse of resistance which she instinctively opposed to every imagined slight.
Summer|Edith Wharton
He began raising the revolver again and the dazed Mel instinctively relayed power to the cart.
All In The Mind|Gene L. Henderson
He reminded his companion of some animal who instinctively draws itself together to avoid the enemy's detection.
The Opened Shutters|Clara Louise Burnham

British Dictionary definitions for instinctively

instinctive

instinctual

/ (ɪnˈstɪŋktɪv) /

adjective

of, relating to, or resulting from instinct

conditioned so as to appear innatean instinctive movement in driving

Derived Formsinstinctively or instinctually, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for instinctively

instinctive

adj.

1610s (implied in instinctively), from Latin instinct-, past participle stem of instinguere (see instinct) + -ive. Related: Instinctiveness.

instinctive

adjective

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of instinctive

Examples from the Web for instinctively

instinctive

instinctual

adjective

instinctive