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
V. L. Parrington
instinctively
adverb
Synonyms
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
One source of Trump’s instinctive, inimitable political talent is that, for him, oratory and advertisement are entirely coeval domains.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024
And the decision of how a body is recorded and presented is something humans alone have an instinctive understanding of.
—Will Tizard, Variety, 1 Nov. 2024
My instinctive distrust of people with perfect eyesight has paid off.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2024
Like a corporate fire drill, this preparation meant that when real issues arose, our response was instinctive rather than reactive.
—Sidharth Ramsinghaney, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for instinctive 
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Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024
And the decision of how a body is recorded and presented is something humans alone have an instinctive understanding of.
—Will Tizard, Variety, 1 Nov. 2024
My instinctive distrust of people with perfect eyesight has paid off.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2024
Like a corporate fire drill, this preparation meant that when real issues arose, our response was instinctive rather than reactive.
—Sidharth Ramsinghaney, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for instinctive
Articles Related to instinctive
Dictionary Entries Near instinctive
Cite this Entry
“Instinctive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instinctive. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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