instinctive

adjective

in·​stinc·​tive in-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv 

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

• automatic
• mechanical
• reflex
• spontaneous
• instinctual
• robotic
• mechanic

Choose the Right Synonym for instinctive

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

Conversations want courage as instinctive Moon in your 3rd House of Communication conjoins warrior Mars there, urging clear words with soft edges. —Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026

Buddy Dyer sure believes so, based on this community’s immediate and instinctive response. —Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2026

My mother’s instinctive Mediterranean table has always been filled with nutrients that support the genes that promote health and longevity. —Lucia Aronica, CNBC, 10 June 2026

Speaking with Variety, Kish explains her response is instinctive. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 10 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for instinctive

• distinctive

Kids Definition

instinctive

adjective

in·​stinc·​tive in-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv 

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 

1

: of, relating to, or being instinct

2

: derived from or prompted by instinct

an instinctive fear

instinctively adverb