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

2

: genetically or innately determined : inborn

creature whose every action is a reflexive, hardwired response

—Natalie Angier

also : genetically or innately predisposed

a human being who is hardwired to be sociable

—Forbes

Synonyms

• built-in
• constitutional
• constitutive
• essential
• immanent
• inborn
• inbred
• indigenous
• ingrain
• ingrained
• engrained
• inherent
• innate
• integral
• intrinsic
• native
• natural

Examples of hardwired in a Sentence

a cat with a hardwired compulsion to knock expensive knickknacks off of shelves

Recent Examples on the Web

The former is hardwired in the primitive brain (selecting for physical and social strength) and the latter is probably hardwired into the neocortex (selecting for the strength of intelligence). —Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025

Routers convert the hardwired internet connection into a wireless signal using radio waves. —David Brinkerhoff, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025

The theater’s artistic triumphs (in good seasons) and the raucous, even dangerous neighborhood (nearly every season) are both hardwired into the Times Square DNA. —Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025

For McIlroy, remembering those real experiences, and particularly the displays of strength that came after them, is the key to sorting through the alarm bells that his brain is hardwired to provide. —Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hardwired

• acquired
• admired
• backfired
• conspired
• desired
• enquired
• inquired
• inspired
• rehired
• required
• respired
• transpired

Kids 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