Synonyms of innate

innate

adjective

i-ˈnāt 

as in inherent

being a part of the innermost nature of a person or thing

an innate athletic ability that allowed him to excel at just about any sport he tried his hand at

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inherent
• intrinsic
• integral
• essential
• inborn
• hereditary
• natural
• constitutional
• inherited
• indigenous
• inner
• ingrained
• constitutive
• native
• immanent
• inbred
• hardwired
• fundamental
• congenital
• elemental
• engrained
• basic
• distinctive
• built-in
• internal
• characteristic
• ingrain
• peculiar
• in one's blood
• deep-rooted
• interior
• habitual
• normal
• typical
• inmost
• inveterate
• regular

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extrinsic
• foreign
• extraneous
• adventitious
• alien
• accidental
• incidental
• surface
• coincidental
• acquired
• external
• superficial
• exterior
• adscititious

Synonym Chooser

How is the word innate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of innate are congenital, hereditary, inborn, and inbred. While all these words mean "not acquired after birth," innate applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature.

an innate sense of fair play

How are the words congenital and hereditary related as synonyms of innate?

Both congenital and hereditary refer to what is acquired before or at birth, the former to things acquired during fetal development and the latter to things transmitted from one's ancestors.

a congenital heart murmur

eye color is hereditary

When would inborn be a good substitute for innate?

The meanings of inborn and innate largely overlap; however, inborn suggests a quality or tendency either actually present at birth or so marked and deep-seated as to seem so.

her inborn love of nature

When might inbred be a better fit than innate?

The synonyms inbred and innate are sometimes interchangeable, but inbred suggests something either acquired from parents by heredity or so deeply rooted and ingrained as to seem acquired in that way.

inbred political loyalties

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of innate

But the Dutch historian Rutger Bregman uses the image in his new book to ask two questions: What innate characteristic enabled that man to resist the fear the Nazi state instilled in so many of its citizens? —John Blake, CNN Money, 14 June 2025

Some dads love to grill, others prefer playing golf—but most dads have one thing in common: an innate love of corny jokes. —Jamie Fischer, Parents, 11 June 2025

Pair newer leaders with experienced employees so staff can benefit from one another’s innate strengths and insights. —Marie Unger, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025

This is followed by Mercury and Jupiter entering your sign on June 8 and 9, boosting everything from your communication skills to your innate receptivity, which is ideal for manifesting your ideal partner. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 6 June 2025