intrinsically

adverb

in·​trin·​si·​cal·​ly in-ˈtrin-zi-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce intrinsically (audio)
-ˈtrin(t)-si-
: in an intrinsic manner : by natural character : in itself
an intrinsically difficult language
intrinsically evil/valuable
The media do not have to go along with the pretense that there is something intrinsically virtuous about a movement with no leaders.David Carr
While etymologies of such terms are intrinsically interesting, they can also serve one of the aims of critical pedagogies …Jennifer Beech
Environmentalists have tended to treat big buildings as intrinsically wasteful, because large amounts of energy are expended in their construction, and because the buildings place intensely localized stresses on sewers, power lines, and water systems.David Owen

Examples of intrinsically in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And, besides, what is intrinsically meaningful about eternal life anyway? James Wood, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 Stallone, who not only starred in the film but wrote the screenplay, said the story of the small-town boxer was intrinsically tied to the fabric of the city. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 4 Dec. 2023 However, Glasner’s formal rigidity prevents their stories from feeling intrinsically bound, leaving each of them with little to say. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Feb. 2024 But what makes the overhead surveillance potentially scary, experts say, is its ability to invade areas once seen as intrinsically off limits. William J. Broad, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024 Maryland’s picturesque landscapes, vibrant ecosystems and thriving communities are intrinsically linked to the health of the state’s waterways. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2024 As a Catholic city with a large Black Catholic population and retained African traditions, the extent of our expression and the fullness of our spirituality are intrinsically linked. Cierra Chenier, Essence, 12 Feb. 2024 Saudi Arabia is a country that enjoys welcoming guests and sharing its rich cultural heritage and stunning landscape, with sports and travel intrinsically linked. Saudi Delegation To The World Economic Forum, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2024 Preparing For The Future Of Cloud Hosting: An Insider's Perspective The future of cloud hosting is not just about technology; it's intrinsically tied to people, processes and policies within an organization. Deepak Tiwari, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intrinsically.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of intrinsically was in 1583

Dictionary Entries Near intrinsically

Cite this Entry

“Intrinsically.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intrinsically. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on intrinsically

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!