as in inherently
by natural character or ability
Anne Frank's memorable belief that most people are innately good
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Recent Examples of innately
And record breaking is an innately human thing.
—
Cecilia Vega, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
But in our era of overcomplicated vehicle systems, and the innately human tendency to spill coffee, food and whatever else all over our beloved vehicles’ interiors, there are certainly long-term benefits to having such durability and simplicity.
—Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Auriemma demanding selfishness from an innately unselfish superstar is a familiar refrain for those who listened to him deliver the same message to Paige Bueckers throughout her five seasons at UConn.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 12 Jan. 2026
Smallwood, less innately sinister as a performer, turns the part into a slow burn.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
The revival has been updated with occasional topical references, but its power derives from the innately dramatic contest structure, so ingeniously developed by the late composer William Finn and the book writer Rachel Sheinkin that each elimination comes as a surprise.
—Hilton Als, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2025
Many people report feeling unsettled or haunted in liminal spaces, and some anthropologists believe this is because our bodies innately know we’re not supposed to dwell in them.
—Hazlitt, 10 Dec. 2025
The Citizenry’s Mina rug has an innately rustic feel thanks to the Moroccan weaving techniques used to create this heirloom in the making.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 6 Nov. 2025
Thyme and mushrooms have a natural affinity, mostly because mushrooms are innately earthy and rich, and thyme is floral and woodsy.
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Cecilia Vega, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
But in our era of overcomplicated vehicle systems, and the innately human tendency to spill coffee, food and whatever else all over our beloved vehicles’ interiors, there are certainly long-term benefits to having such durability and simplicity.
—Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Auriemma demanding selfishness from an innately unselfish superstar is a familiar refrain for those who listened to him deliver the same message to Paige Bueckers throughout her five seasons at UConn.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 12 Jan. 2026
Smallwood, less innately sinister as a performer, turns the part into a slow burn.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
The revival has been updated with occasional topical references, but its power derives from the innately dramatic contest structure, so ingeniously developed by the late composer William Finn and the book writer Rachel Sheinkin that each elimination comes as a surprise.
—Hilton Als, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2025
Many people report feeling unsettled or haunted in liminal spaces, and some anthropologists believe this is because our bodies innately know we’re not supposed to dwell in them.
—Hazlitt, 10 Dec. 2025
The Citizenry’s Mina rug has an innately rustic feel thanks to the Moroccan weaving techniques used to create this heirloom in the making.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 6 Nov. 2025
Thyme and mushrooms have a natural affinity, mostly because mushrooms are innately earthy and rich, and thyme is floral and woodsy.
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for innately
Adverb
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Meta and Google, two of the most powerful companies in history, have long rejected claims their social media platforms are inherently dangerous for kids.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
9 Feb. 2026
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No categorization is perfect, of course—clothing sizing is inherently reductive.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
9 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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Krummrich warned that the nature of the threat has fundamentally shifted over the past decade or so, as societal attitudes toward violence change.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Prescription drugs are fundamentally different from other consumer goods.—
Sreedhar Potarazu,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Innately.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/innately. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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