instinctive

in·stinc·tive

adjective \in-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv\

Definition of INSTINCTIVE

1

: of, relating to, or being instinct

2

: prompted by natural instinct or propensity : arising spontaneously <an instinctive fear of innovation — V. L. Parrington>

— in·stinc·tive·ly adverb

Examples of INSTINCTIVE

1. Cats have an instinctive desire to hunt.
2. <the instinctive reaction of a mother is to protect her children>

First Known Use of INSTINCTIVE

15th century

Related to INSTINCTIVE

Synonyms

automatic, instinctual, involuntary, knee-jerk, mechanic, mechanical, robotic, spontaneous

Antonyms

nonmechanical

Related Words

conditioned, natural, Pavlovian, reactive, reflex, simple, subliminal, unconscious, unforced, visceral; blind, inadvertent, unintended, unintentional, unwilling, unwitting; abrupt, quick, ready, sudden; ad-lib, extemporaneous, extempore, impromptu, improvised, offhand, offhanded, off-the-cuff, snap, spur-of-the-moment, unconsidered, unplanned, unpremeditated, unprepared, unprompted, unreasoned, unrehearsed, unstudied; casual, chance, chancy, haphazard, hasty, hit-or-miss, impetuous, impulsive, mindless, random, rash

Near Antonyms

calculated, conscious, cultivated, deliberate, designed, intended, intentional, predetermined, prepared, projected, refined, rehearsed, volitional, voluntary, willed, willful (or wilful); advised, aforethought, careful, considered, foresighted, forethoughtful, measured, meticulous, reasoned, studied, thoughtful

See Synonym Discussion at spontaneous

in·stinc·tive

adjective \in-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of INSTINCTIVE

1

: of, relating to, or being instinct

2

: derived from or prompted by instinct <an instinctive fear>

—in·stinc·tive·ly adverb