instinctive

adjective

in·​stinc·​tive in-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv How to pronounce instinctive (audio)
Synonyms of instinctivenext
1
: of, relating to, or being instinct
2
: prompted by natural instinct or propensity : arising spontaneously
… an instinctive fear of innovation.—V. L. Parrington
instinctively adverb

Synonyms of instinctive

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spontaneous, impulsive, instinctive, automatic, mechanical mean acting or activated without deliberation.

spontaneous implies lack of prompting and connotes naturalness.

a spontaneous burst of applause

impulsive implies acting under stress of emotion or spirit of the moment.

impulsive acts of violence

instinctive stresses action involving neither judgment nor will.

blinking is an instinctive reaction

automatic implies action engaging neither the mind nor the emotions and connotes a predictable response.

his denial was automatic

mechanical stresses the lifeless, often perfunctory character of the response.

a mechanical teaching method

Examples of instinctive in a Sentence

Cats have an instinctive desire to hunt. the instinctive reaction of a mother is to protect her children
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.
To be a nation founded on an ideal makes our love of country a more vital force than any instinctive pieties of blood and soil. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 The rookie is an instinctive playmaker who has a knack for creating turnovers. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026 His first, the equaliser at 1-1, showed him at his instinctive best, eight minutes after coming on. — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 26 June 2026 Tailoring became lighter, proportions relaxed and layering more instinctive, creating wardrobes that feel versatile rather than prescriptive. — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for instinctive

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of instinctive was circa 1656

Rhymes for instinctive

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Browse Nearby Words

instinction
instinctive
instinctively
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Cite this Entry

“Instinctive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instinctive. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

instinctive

adjective
in·​stinc·​tive in-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv How to pronounce instinctive (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or being instinct
2
: resulting from or caused by instinct
instinctively adverb

Medical Definition

instinctive

adjective
in·​stinc·​tive in-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv How to pronounce instinctive (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or being instinct
2
: derived from or prompted by instinct
an instinctive fear
instinctively adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on instinctive

Nglish: Translation of instinctive for Spanish Speakers

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