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
Jim BellExamples of counterintuitive in a Sentence
It may seem counterintuitive, but we do burn calories when we are sleeping.
Recent Examples on the Web
The booked and busy tend to get back to people more quickly which may sound counterintuitive, but hear me out.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 12 Aug. 2024
Many people’s understandable aversion to germs may make the idea of adapting these microbial adversaries for therapeutic purposes seem counterintuitive.
—Bill Sullivan, Discover Magazine, 12 Aug. 2024
That may seem counterintuitive, but for several reasons, Netanyahu needs the Americans to take the initiative.
—Dennis Ross, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2024
But the sheer volume of information in a high-stakes news event such as this one has a counterintuitive effect: Distinguishing real from fake is actually quite easy when the entire world focuses its attention on the same thing.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 16 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for counterintuitive 
Jasmine Browley, Essence, 12 Aug. 2024
Many people’s understandable aversion to germs may make the idea of adapting these microbial adversaries for therapeutic purposes seem counterintuitive.
—Bill Sullivan, Discover Magazine, 12 Aug. 2024
That may seem counterintuitive, but for several reasons, Netanyahu needs the Americans to take the initiative.
—Dennis Ross, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2024
But the sheer volume of information in a high-stakes news event such as this one has a counterintuitive effect: Distinguishing real from fake is actually quite easy when the entire world focuses its attention on the same thing.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 16 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for counterintuitive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'counterintuitive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near counterintuitive
Cite this Entry
“Counterintuitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterintuitive. Accessed 14 Sep. 2024.
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