Thesaurus

innate

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of innate

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 of innate

built-in, constitutional, constitutive, essential, hardwired, immanent, inborn, inbred, indigenous, ingrain, ingrained (also engrained), inherent, integral, intrinsic, native, natural

Words Related to innate

basic, deep-rooted, elemental, fundamental

congenital, hereditary, inherited, inmost, inner, interior

characteristic, distinctive, peculiar

habitual, inveterate

normal, regular, typical

Phrases Synonymous with innate

in one's blood

Near Antonyms of innate

accidental, coincidental, incidental

superficial, surface

exterior, external

Antonyms of innate

adventitious, extraneous, extrinsic

Synonym Discussion of innate

innate, inborn, inbred, congenital, hereditary 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

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

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

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

Learn More about innate

See words that rhyme with innate Dictionary: Definition of innate Medical Dictionary: Definition of innate Spanish Central: Translation of innate Nglish: Translation of innate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of innate for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up innate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

meritorious

play

deserving of honor or esteem

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games