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

This may seem a bit counterintuitive—the print certainly isn’t shy—but as far as patterns go, leopard is surprisingly versatile. —Christina Holevas, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2024

This one might sound counterintuitive—how can taking time off from your business actually help it? —Lien De Pau, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024

The counterintuitive cause appears to be erosion due to a merger of rivers located about 47 miles away from Everest. —Rudy Molinek, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Oct. 2024

Excitement was running high about all the avenues the internet had opened up, and his answer was counterintuitive. —Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 27 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above