instinctive

adjective

in·​stinc·​tive in-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv 

1

: of, relating to, or being instinct

2

: prompted by natural instinct or propensity : arising spontaneously

… an instinctive fear of innovation.

—V. L. Parrington

instinctively adverb

Synonyms of instinctive

• automatic
• mechanical
• reflex
• spontaneous
• instinctual
• robotic
• mechanic

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

The instinctive Moon conjoins responsible Saturn in your 11th House of Humanity, guiding your interactions with teams and allies. —Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026

Delane is an instinctive defender with a quality skill set for the next level. —Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026

Quiet reflection supports inner strength as the instinctive Moon moves through your 12th House of Fantasy and sextiles tender Chiron in your 2nd House of Materialism. —Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2026

The instinctive Moon moves through your 11th House of Shared Hopes, trining surprising Uranus in your talkative 3rd house. —Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for instinctive

• distinctive

Kids Definition

instinctive

adjective

in·​stinc·​tive in-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv 

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 

1

: of, relating to, or being instinct

2

: derived from or prompted by instinct

an instinctive fear

instinctively adverb