counterintuitive

adjective

coun·​ter·​in·​tu·​i·​tive ˌkau̇n-tər-in-ˈtü-ə-tiv 

-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 

-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

The counterintuitive part is that the stronger your company gets, the more dangerous its position. — Kyle Westaway, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

The idea that political parties should be stronger may be counterintuitive to most Americans, who hold both the Democratic and Republican Parties in low esteem. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026

His theory appears to explain some counterintuitive findings. — Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

And although a counterintuitive concept that seemingly many on the Left struggle to comprehend, higher tax rates ultimately generate less, not more,tax revenue. — Michael Zais, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for counterintuitive

• intuitive