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
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
There is no big screen, rather circular digital touchscreens surround the steering wheel to allow instinctive commands without losing sight of the road or contact with the steering wheel.
—Trinity Francis, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Making playthings of space and grammar, Gray Latitudes is a bold first publication by an author who approaches crafting thoughtful poetry in the most impulsive and instinctive ways.
—Wanjeri Gakuru
july 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
His high tackle-success rate and ability to recover loose balls highlight both positional awareness and sharp instinctive timing.
—Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 12 July 2025
The removal of living beings from their natural environment, along with the massive scale of human intervention, can be just as pernicious as the instinctive and selfish destruction that is often overlooked.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for instinctive
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Trinity Francis, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Making playthings of space and grammar, Gray Latitudes is a bold first publication by an author who approaches crafting thoughtful poetry in the most impulsive and instinctive ways.
—Wanjeri Gakuru
july 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
His high tackle-success rate and ability to recover loose balls highlight both positional awareness and sharp instinctive timing.
—Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 12 July 2025
The removal of living beings from their natural environment, along with the massive scale of human intervention, can be just as pernicious as the instinctive and selfish destruction that is often overlooked.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for instinctive
Cite this Entry
“Instinctive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instinctive. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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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