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

counterintuitively

ˌkau̇n-tər-in-ˈtü-ə-tiv-lē 

-ˈtyü-

adverb

Examples of counterintuitive in a Sentence

It may seem counterintuitive, but we do burn calories when we are sleeping.

Recent Examples on the Web

Although the underlying mechanisms may differ from tissue to tissue, and from organism to organism, the apparent ubiquity of these processes suggests that fracturing is a useful, if counterintuitive, way to sculpt tissues and their vital features. —Clare Watson, Quanta Magazine, 27 Feb. 2026

Expanding a mall in an era when the retail industry is struggling seems counterintuitive - if not downright wacky. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026

Horse initially looked like a counterintuitive move when it was spun out from a Geely-Renault joint venture as a hybrid and combustion engine specialist in 2023. —New Atlas, 23 Feb. 2026

The reasons for the counterintuitive finding are complex and not entirely clear. —James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for counterintuitive

• intuitive