counterintuitive

[koun-ter-in-too-i-tiv, -tyoo-] / ˌkaʊn tər ɪnˈtu ɪ tɪv, -ˈtyu- /

ADJECTIVE

contrary to common sense

Synonyms

STRONGEST

unreasonable

STRONG

faulty illogical implausible nonsensical

WEAK

absurd capricious contradictory erratic preposterous reasonless senseless sophistic untenable

Antonyms

STRONGEST

analytical equitable intuitive reasonable understandable

STRONG

legitimate objective valid

WEAK

tenable

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.

The idea that convection can occur within an ice sheet may seem counterintuitive at first.

From Science Daily • Mar. 14, 2026

Gold is typically considered a haven in periods of geopolitical volatility, so its price rise amid talks of de-escalation appears counterintuitive.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

This counterintuitive ranking wasn’t because the period included the Swinging Sixties.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

“This feels counterintuitive, as we’re used to the notion that poor people have more kids than the rich,” wrote Zagare in The Bigger Apple, a newsletter on Substack.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 16, 2026

In 1911, this sort of counterintuitive brilliance was expected of both thief and detective.

From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day