Synonyms of inborn

inborn

adjective

ˈin-ˈbȯrn 

1

as in inherent

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

an inborn talent for dancing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in genetic

genetically passed or capable of being passed from parent to offspring

certain instincts are inborn in mice

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inherent
• genetic
• hereditary
• inherited
• genetical
• inheritable
• innate
• congenital
• heritable
• native
• natural
• inbred

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• acquired
• nonhereditary

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of inborn are congenital, hereditary, inbred, and innate. While all these words mean "not acquired after birth," 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

How do congenital and hereditary relate to one another, in the sense of inborn?

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 can inbred be used instead of inborn?

The words inbred and inborn are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

In what contexts can innate take the place of inborn?

The synonyms innate and inborn are sometimes interchangeable, but innate applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature.

an innate sense of fair play

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of inborn

Like so many inborn traits, the spiritual impulse for prayer can grow stronger, and just as easily grow weaker. —Lynne Silva-Breen, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025

Platt notes that this change in approach came at a time when popular ideas about race were shifting toward a focus on inborn, genetic differences. —Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 28 Jan. 2025

The biggest concern, according to eugenicists, was that these antisocial tendencies were inborn—that genes for crime and poverty were being smuggled into the country in the blood of immigrants. —Arthur Caplan, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2024

Her looks and style seem inborn. —Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019