instinctive

[ in-stingk-tiv ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or of the nature of instinct.
2. prompted by or resulting from or as if from instinct; natural; unlearned:

   an instinctive will to survive.

   Synonyms: unpremeditated, intuitive, spontaneous

instinctive

/ ɪnˈstɪŋktɪv /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resulting from instinct
2. conditioned so as to appear innate

   an instinctive movement in driving

Derived Forms

• inˈstinctively, adverb

Other Words From

• in·stinc·tive·ly in·stinc·tu·al·ly adverb
• half-in·stinc·tive adjective
• non·in·stinc·tive adjective
• non·in·stinc·tu·al adjective
• sem·i-in·stinc·tive adjective
• un·in·stinc·tive adjective
• un·in·stinc·tive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of instinctive¹

First recorded in 1640–50; instinct ¹ + -ive

Example Sentences

There is instinctive political unease here with his behaviour, his attitude to the law, convention, and the truth.

From BBC

The Spain international brings a calmness in intense situations; has an instinctive awareness of space; and absorbs information and then delivers on it.

From BBC

Call it womanhood, call it brat summer, but I have a hunch that our instinctive, knee-jerk responses to the news that we’d be attending the U.S.

From Salon

There is always an instinctive aspect in the choices we make about what films to make.

From Salon

Here’s the simple part: The paleocons can be understood as old-fashioned, antisemitic white nationalists, representing a form of instinctive racist conservatism that resents and resists all change.

From Salon

Related Words

• impulsive
• ingrained
• inherent
• innate
• intuitive
• natural
• spontaneous
• visceral