conative

1 of 2

adjective

co·​na·​tive ˈkō-nə-tiv How to pronounce conative (audio)
ˈkä-
ˈkō-ˌnā-
1
: having the characteristics of or involving conation
literature and art appeal as much to the affective and conative as to the merely cognitive side of man's beingAldous Huxley
2
: denoting an attempt to perform an action
used of verb forms or affixes in certain languages
3
: of or relating to the function of a message to influence the one receiving it
conatively adverb

conative

2 of 2

noun

co·​na·​tive ˈkō-nə-tiv How to pronounce conative (audio)
ˈkä-
ˈkō-ˌnā-
plural -s
: a conative verb form, set of verb forms, or affix

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

conation + -ive

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Cite this Entry

“Conative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conative. Accessed 13 Dec. 2025.

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