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.

“When you’re instinctive, you’re tough and you catch everything, that’s a pretty high floor. Absolute worst case, you’re going to have a steady, dependable, reliable player.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

Zelensky showed immediately that he was an instinctive war leader, a born communicator who was able to rally his people.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

Iger praised D'Amaro's "instinctive appreciation of the Disney brand and a deep understanding of what resonates with our audiences."

From Barron's • Feb. 3, 2026

“He has an instinctive appreciation of the Disney brand, and a deep understanding of what resonates with our audiences.”

From MarketWatch • Feb. 3, 2026

Powell clambered upward in an instinctive striving for better view, till he was standing in unsteady fashion upon his robot’s shoulders.

From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov

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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