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

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.
Recent Examples of innate And the innate ability to spot a liberal from fifty feet away. Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025 And now you’re being called to trust that value is innate, even before the check clears. Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 17 Aug. 2025 Someone who believed in the innate goodness of people who posted comments on the internet. Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2025 His innate decency and soulfulness is hard to hide. Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for innate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for innate
Adjective
  • In other words, there’s a preference for growth companies with more inherent risk.
    Sarah Min, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
  • But what about the algorithm's inherent biases?
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s something intrinsic about following that route from city to sea in a region where life and work and industry were dictated by the river for so long.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • From an intrinsic point of view, most of the Moon’s light is merely reflected light from the Sun.
    Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Founders envisioned a Nation in which religious voices and views are integral to a vibrant public square and human flourishing and in which religious people and institutions are free to practice their faith without fear of discrimination or hostility from the Government.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Stablecoins also serve as an integral part of AI adoption and expansion that has not yet been fully developed or discussed, even in the midst of wider interest and the advancement of various AI models; agentic AI.
    Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Gadsden State Community College and Chick-fil-A have teamed up to offer a training program that will equip participants with essential skills needed to land jobs in the restaurant and hospitality industry.
    Staff reports, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Replant Correct planting depth is essential when planting peony divisions.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Innate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/innate. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on innate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!