Definitions

instinctive

[in-stingk-tiv] / ɪnˈstɪŋk tɪv /

ADJECTIVE

reflex, automatic

Synonyms

STRONGEST

impulsive ingrained inherent innate intuitive natural spontaneous visceral

WEAK

accustomed by seat of one's pants congenital habitual inborn instinctual intrinsic intuitional involuntary knee-jerk mechanical native normal regular rooted second-nature typical unlearned unmeditated unpremeditated unprompted unthinking

Antonyms

STRONGEST

acquired extrinsic learned

WEAK

conscious deliberate meditated reasonable sensible

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.

A Tribe Called Quest’s “People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm” Everything on that record resonates so deeply in my DNA and also my daughters’ DNA.

From New York Times • Feb. 21, 2020

In a handsome home set against a Rocky Mountains backdrop, McCloughan has relaunched Instinctive Scouting — the company he started after abruptly resigning in April 2014 as a senior personnel executive with the Seattle Seahawks.

From Washington Post • Sep. 9, 2017

Q-Tip was just 19 when Tribe released their debut album, People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm.

From The Guardian • Nov. 17, 2016

Phife was on just four songs of Tribe’s debut record, “People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm,” but it’s hard to imagine the album without him.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2016

Instinctive tact made Katie put it that way instead of saying, “You’ll share my room.”

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Vocabulary lists containing instinctive

List 1

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"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 26–31

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"The Veldt" by Ray Bradbury

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