instinctive

adjective

in·​stinc·​tive in-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv 

1

: of, relating to, or being instinct

2

: prompted by natural instinct or propensity : arising spontaneously

an instinctive fear of innovation

—V. L. Parrington

instinctively adverb

Synonyms

• automatic
• mechanical
• reflex
• spontaneous
• instinctual
• robotic
• mechanic

Choose the Right Synonym for instinctive

spontaneous, impulsive, instinctive, automatic, mechanical mean acting or activated without deliberation.

spontaneous implies lack of prompting and connotes naturalness.

a spontaneous burst of applause

impulsive implies acting under stress of emotion or spirit of the moment.

impulsive acts of violence

instinctive stresses action involving neither judgment nor will.

blinking is an instinctive reaction

automatic implies action engaging neither the mind nor the emotions and connotes a predictable response.

his denial was automatic

mechanical stresses the lifeless, often perfunctory character of the response.

a mechanical teaching method

Examples of instinctive in a Sentence

Cats have an instinctive desire to hunt.

the instinctive reaction of a mother is to protect her children

Recent Examples on the Web

However, Branch’s instinctive and aggressive tendencies sometimes hurt. —Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 18 June 2025

Their intelligence varies by breed and falls into three types: instinctive, adaptive, and working/obedience. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025

With her criminal past pardoned, Aphra is now recruited by her good buddy Luke Skywalker to employ her instinctive treasure-hunting skills for the benefit of the New Republic. —Jeff Spry, Space.com, 12 June 2025

Related Articles The Vivienne Westwood line has been unveiled in London since 2017 for both men’s and women’s, but is now being separated to spotlight the different business categories, an instinctive decision for Kronthaler. —Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 20 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for instinctive

• distinctive

Kids Definition

instinctive

adjective

in·​stinc·​tive in-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv 

1

: of, relating to, or being instinct

2

: resulting from or caused by instinct

instinctively adverb

Medical Definition

instinctive

adjective

in·​stinc·​tive in-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv 

1

: of, relating to, or being instinct

2

: derived from or prompted by instinct

an instinctive fear

instinctively adverb