instinctive

adjective in·stinc·tive \ in-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv \

Updated on: 20 Nov 2017

Definition of instinctive

1 : of, relating to, or being instinct

2 : prompted by natural instinct or propensity : arising spontaneously

an instinctive fear of innovation
—V. L. Parrington

—

instinctively

adverb

See instinctive defined for English-language learners

See instinctive defined for kids

Examples of instinctive in a Sentence

Cats have an instinctive desire to hunt.
the instinctive reaction of a mother is to protect her children

Recent Examples of instinctive from the Web

And the wealth got spread inland, as fishermen also flocked to the banks of rivers in the fall, as an instinctive call leads the salmon to return to spawn in the rivers where they were first stocked a few years before.

— keith matheny, Detroit Free Press, "King salmon reign shrinks, but more precariously on changing Great Lakes," 23 Oct. 2017
Gulyas said unique ability taps into the instinctive way people work.

— sarah hauer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Travel firm La Macchia uncovers the uniqueness of each employee," 6 Oct. 2017
But the small Catalonian side weren't level for long, as four minutes later Cristian Portu put his side ahead with an instinctive back heel following Pablo Maffeo Becerra's fizzing attempt from 12-yards.

— SI.com, "Zinedine Zidane States Real Madrid Can Handle La Liga Deficit Following Shock 2-1 Defeat to Girona," 30 Oct. 2017
Our guys are instinctive kind of players, so I’m not surprised by it.

— edward lee, baltimoresun.com, "The Ravens' defense is creating turnovers at a historic rate," 18 Sep. 2017
For all of his faults, Trump’s instinctive desire to end the nuclear deal is more reality-based than the arguments of his critics.

— jonathan s. tobin, National Review, "Why Trump Is Right and the Experts Are Still Wrong about the Iran Deal," 15 Sep. 2017
Mueller's command of the Washington game and mechanics of the law, on show in his first salvo against the Trump team, also represent a test for Trump's instinctive mastery of disruption and diversion.

— stephen collinson, CNN, "Mueller probe may ground Trump's unconventional success," 31 Oct. 2017
For Trump, such concerns take a back seat to his instinctive need to punch back.

— ben shapiro, National Review, "Gold Star Families Are Sacrosanct," 24 Oct. 2017
He is being whipsawed between his instinctive pragmatism and his party’s passion.

— jonathan martin, New York Times, "Not on the Ballot, but Dominating the Virginia Governor’s Race: Trump," 15 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'instinctive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of instinctive

15th century

instinctive Synonyms

Synonyms

automatic, instinctual, involuntary, knee-jerk, mechanic, mechanical, robotic, spontaneous

Antonyms

nonmechanical

Near Antonyms

calculated, conscious, cultivated, deliberate, designed, intended, intentional, predetermined, prepared, projected, refined, rehearsed, volitional, voluntary, willed, willful (or wilful); advised, aforethought, careful, considered, foresighted, forethoughtful, measured, meticulous, reasoned, studied, thoughtful

Synonym Discussion of instinctive

spontaneous, impulsive, instinctive, automatic, mechanical mean acting or activated without deliberation. spontaneous implies lack of prompting and connotes naturalness.

- a spontaneous burst of applause

impulsive implies acting under stress of emotion or spirit of the moment.

- impulsive acts of violence

instinctive stresses action involving neither judgment nor will.

- blinking is an instinctive reaction

automatic implies action engaging neither the mind nor the emotions and connotes a predictable response.

- his denial was automatic

mechanical stresses the lifeless, often perfunctory character of the response.

- a mechanical teaching method

INSTINCTIVE Defined for English Language Learners

instinctive

adjective

Definition of instinctive for English Language Learners

: relating to or based on instinct : based on feelings or desires that do not come from thinking or learning

INSTINCTIVE Defined for Kids

instinctive

adjective in·stinc·tive \ in-ˈstiŋk-tiv \

Definition of instinctive for Students

: of or relating to instinct : resulting from instinct

instinctive behavior

—

instinctively

adverb

Medical Dictionary

instinctive

adjective in·stinc·tive \ in-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv \

medical Definition of instinctive

1 : of, relating to, or being instinct

2 : derived from or prompted by instinct

an instinctive fear

—

instinctively

adverb

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First Known Use of instinctive

instinctive Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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Near Antonyms

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INSTINCTIVE Defined for English Language Learners

instinctive

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INSTINCTIVE Defined for Kids

instinctive

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Medical Dictionary

instinctive

medical Definition of instinctive

instinctively

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