instinctive

adjective

in·​stinc·​tive in-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv How to pronounce instinctive (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or being instinct
2
: prompted by natural instinct or propensity : arising spontaneously
an instinctive fear of innovationV. L. Parrington
instinctively adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for instinctive

spontaneous, impulsive, instinctive, automatic, mechanical mean acting or activated without deliberation.

spontaneous implies lack of prompting and connotes naturalness.

a spontaneous burst of applause

impulsive implies acting under stress of emotion or spirit of the moment.

impulsive acts of violence

instinctive stresses action involving neither judgment nor will.

blinking is an instinctive reaction

automatic implies action engaging neither the mind nor the emotions and connotes a predictable response.

his denial was automatic

mechanical stresses the lifeless, often perfunctory character of the response.

a mechanical teaching method

Examples of instinctive in a Sentence

Cats have an instinctive desire to hunt. the instinctive reaction of a mother is to protect her children
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Carter made an instinctive break on the ball for his interception in the second quarter. Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025 Staten Island, New York For most adults, walking is instinctive, an act of human nature as spontaneous as breathing. Michael Collins, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025 These innovative techniques are not instinctive—they are learned behaviors passed from one dolphin to another within their social groups. Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025 Most people have an instinctive need to speak about their problems to a friendly listener. Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for instinctive

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of instinctive was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Instinctive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instinctive. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

instinctive

adjective
in·​stinc·​tive in-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv How to pronounce instinctive (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or being instinct
2
: resulting from or caused by instinct
instinctively adverb

Medical Definition

instinctive

adjective
in·​stinc·​tive in-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv How to pronounce instinctive (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or being instinct
2
: derived from or prompted by instinct
an instinctive fear
instinctively adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on instinctive

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