counterintuitive

adjective

coun·​ter·​in·​tu·​i·​tive ˌkau̇n-tər-in-ˈtü-ə-tiv How to pronounce counterintuitive (audio)
-ˈtyü-
: contrary to what one would intuitively expect
As counterintuitive as it may seem, the universe has no center, and it has no boundary.—Jim Bell
counterintuitively
ˌkau̇n-tər-in-ˈtü-ə-tiv-lē How to pronounce counterintuitive (audio)
-ˈtyü-
adverb

Examples of counterintuitive in a Sentence

It may seem counterintuitive, but we do burn calories when we are sleeping.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The exposure that followed her triumph on the Croisette was overwhelming and, at times, counterintuitive. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026 Industry observers have also long argued that the closure works as a counterintuitive sales booster, because the scarcity has become part of the brand and helps drive traffic on the other six days. — Heather Occhino, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026 Maybe this explains why Effective Altruism—the idea that generosity should be subjected to evidence and calculation—seemed counterintuitive. — David Miliband, Time, 19 Oct. 2026 That global warming is diminishing them might sounds counterintuitive — climate change, after all, is worsening much of the world’s extreme weather. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for counterintuitive

Word History

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterintuitive was in 1955

Rhymes for counterintuitive

See All Rhymes for counterintuitive

Browse Nearby Words

counterinterpretation
counterintuitive
counterinvasion
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Cite this Entry

“Counterintuitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterintuitive. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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