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
Trading McBride to open up a roster spot for Shamet and Brogdon seems counterintuitive to that objective.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Dividing a small bedroom may seem counterintuitive, but hear us out.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 21 Sep. 2025
There is a powerful tool that is often counterintuitive for quickly shifting your approach with such people and finding opportunities for breakthroughs.
—Josh Davis, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Tucker was a counterintuitive criminal who was motivated not by money but, even more richly, by the pure, joyous thrill of getting away with something.
—K. Austin Collins, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterintuitive
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Dividing a small bedroom may seem counterintuitive, but hear us out.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 21 Sep. 2025
There is a powerful tool that is often counterintuitive for quickly shifting your approach with such people and finding opportunities for breakthroughs.
—Josh Davis, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Tucker was a counterintuitive criminal who was motivated not by money but, even more richly, by the pure, joyous thrill of getting away with something.
—K. Austin Collins, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterintuitive
Cite this Entry
“Counterintuitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterintuitive. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share