hardwired
adjective
hard·wired
ˈhärd-ˌwī(-ə)rd 
1
: implemented in the form of permanent electronic circuits
also
: connected or incorporated by or as if by permanent electrical connections
a hardwired phone
concepts of attractiveness may be universal and hardwired into the human brain —
Jane E. Brody
Jane E. Brody 2
: genetically or innately determined : inborn
creature whose every action is a reflexive, hardwired response—Natalie Angier
Natalie Angier
also
: genetically or innately predisposed
a human being who is hardwired to be sociable —Forbes
Forbes Synonyms
Examples of hardwired in a Sentence
a cat with a hardwired compulsion to knock expensive knickknacks off of shelves
Recent Examples on the Web
Children and adults are hardwired to relax and recharge when given the opportunity.
—Brianna Kamienski, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024
Thankfully, our brains are hardwired to recognize edges.
—Popular Science, 21 Feb. 2024
Though Red 3, like most artificial colorants, has no functional purpose, our brains are hardwired to prefer red foods.
—Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 9 Feb. 2024
The Battery Doorbell Plus is great for adding doorstep security to apartments or other dwellings that make hardwired installations difficult.
—Quentyn Kennemer, The Verge, 21 Mar. 2024
Indeed, people are hardwired for both self-interest and altruism.
—Talia Varley, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2024
Because our brains cannot process all the bits of information they are presented with, the shortcuts get hardwired into our brains, leading to assumptions and, often, non-inclusive behavior.
—Julie Kratz, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
To prevent tampering, the election equipment is hardwired to a closed network.
—The Arizona Republic, 24 Jan. 2024
Bird would eventually reverse course and take a more collaborative approach with local and state officials, but the company sometimes struggled to reconcile being a good citizen with its hardwired growth imperatives.
—Jason Del Rey, Fortune, 25 Jan. 2024
Brianna Kamienski, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024
Thankfully, our brains are hardwired to recognize edges.
—Popular Science, 21 Feb. 2024
Though Red 3, like most artificial colorants, has no functional purpose, our brains are hardwired to prefer red foods.
—Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 9 Feb. 2024
The Battery Doorbell Plus is great for adding doorstep security to apartments or other dwellings that make hardwired installations difficult.
—Quentyn Kennemer, The Verge, 21 Mar. 2024
Indeed, people are hardwired for both self-interest and altruism.
—Talia Varley, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2024
Because our brains cannot process all the bits of information they are presented with, the shortcuts get hardwired into our brains, leading to assumptions and, often, non-inclusive behavior.
—Julie Kratz, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
To prevent tampering, the election equipment is hardwired to a closed network.
—The Arizona Republic, 24 Jan. 2024
Bird would eventually reverse course and take a more collaborative approach with local and state officials, but the company sometimes struggled to reconcile being a good citizen with its hardwired growth imperatives.
—Jason Del Rey, Fortune, 25 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hardwired.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near hardwired
Cite this Entry
“Hardwired.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hardwired. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hardwired
adjective
hard·wired
-ˌwī(ə)rd
: having or done using or as if using permanent electronic circuits or connections
a hardwired phone
a mother hardwired to defend her child
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