hardwired
adjective
hard·wired
ˈhärd-ˌwī(-ə)rd 
1
: implemented in the form of permanent electronic circuits
also
: connected or incorporated by or as if by permanent electrical connections
a hardwired phone
concepts of attractiveness may be universal and hardwired into the human brain —
Jane E. Brody
Jane E. Brody 2
: genetically or innately determined : inborn
creature whose every action is a reflexive, hardwired response—Natalie Angier
Natalie Angier
also
: genetically or innately predisposed
a human being who is hardwired to be sociable —Forbes
Forbes Examples of hardwired in a Sentence
a cat with a hardwired compulsion to knock expensive knickknacks off of shelves
Recent Examples on the Web
Isaac Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics imagines a world where machines are hardwired to protect humans, follow orders and avoid harm by offering a framework for trust and control.
—Doron Sitbon, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Manager Craig Counsell described Hoerner as being hardwired to make contact, calling it a gift to have that skill set.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025
Though many of pharma's fiercest defenders have retired from Congress, the GOP is still generally hardwired to avoid anything that could be considered price-setting within health care.
—Caitlin Owens, Axios, 27 May 2025
Before landing, mission teams found that the laser rangefinder designed to help navigate the lunar terrain and precisely measure altitude was not correctly hardwired.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardwired
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Doron Sitbon, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Manager Craig Counsell described Hoerner as being hardwired to make contact, calling it a gift to have that skill set.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025
Though many of pharma's fiercest defenders have retired from Congress, the GOP is still generally hardwired to avoid anything that could be considered price-setting within health care.
—Caitlin Owens, Axios, 27 May 2025
Before landing, mission teams found that the laser rangefinder designed to help navigate the lunar terrain and precisely measure altitude was not correctly hardwired.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardwired
Cite this Entry
“Hardwired.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hardwired. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hardwired
adjective
hard·wired
-ˌwī(ə)rd
: having or done using or as if using permanent electronic circuits or connections
a hardwired phone
a parent hardwired to defend their child
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