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.

For example, it might be instinctive to tell a street fundraiser you already donate to that charity or are too busy to stop.

From BBC

It is instinctive -- I give my teammate the ball.

From Barron's

The man whose instinctive act stopped the car that injured 134 fans at the Liverpool FC victory parade has insisted he was "not a hero".

From BBC

The instinctive reaction has been alarm: another consolidation in an industry already thinned by mergers.

From The Wall Street Journal

His escape deposits him into a frozen wilderness, where the first humans he encounters react to him with instinctive horror.

From Salon