instinctive

adjective

in-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv How to pronounce instinctive (audio)
Definition of instinctivenext
as in automatic
done instantly and without conscious thought or decision the instinctive reaction of a mother is to protect her children

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word instinctive distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of instinctive are automatic, impulsive, mechanical, and spontaneous. While all these words mean "acting or activated without deliberation," instinctive stresses action involving neither judgment nor will.

blinking is an instinctive reaction

When is automatic a more appropriate choice than instinctive?

In some situations, the words automatic and instinctive are roughly equivalent. However, automatic implies action engaging neither the mind nor the emotions and connotes a predictable response.

his denial was automatic

When might impulsive be a better fit than instinctive?

The meanings of impulsive and instinctive largely overlap; however, impulsive implies acting under stress of emotion or spirit of the moment.

impulsive acts of violence

In what contexts can mechanical take the place of instinctive?

The words mechanical and instinctive can be used in similar contexts, but mechanical stresses the lifeless, often perfunctory character of the response.

a mechanical teaching method

Where would spontaneous be a reasonable alternative to instinctive?

While the synonyms spontaneous and instinctive are close in meaning, spontaneous implies lack of prompting and connotes naturalness.

a spontaneous burst of applause

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of instinctive Most dogs tend to eat while standing or hovering defensively over their bowl—a behavior often driven by instinctive food-guarding tendencies or excitement. —Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025 Observing that sort of strange phenomenon feeds our instinctive tendency to connect vision to intelligence – to explore the relationship between the eye and the brain. —John Werner, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025 Chris Whipple, an expert on White House chiefs of staff, said Trump is reactive and instinctive, which drove his success on the campaign trail. —Tamara Keith, NPR, 28 June 2025 However, Branch’s instinctive and aggressive tendencies sometimes hurt. —Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for instinctive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinctive
  1. automatic
  2. mechanical
  3. reflex
  4. spontaneous
  5. robotic
  6. mechanic
Adjective
  • Nathan Kaufman, a health care consultant and long-time Palomar observer who has been critical of recent leadership decisions, said that the pact between Palomar and UCSD is not an automatic win given the current state of health care margins.
    — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2025
  • The service, launched in 2021, offered unlimited photo and video storage to AT&T’s Protect Advantage plan subscribers with the convenience of automatic backup at full quality and no data charges when backing up over AT&T’s network.
    — Paul Monckton, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Definition of automatic
Adjective
  • Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    — KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2025
  • Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2025
Definition of mechanical
Adjective
  • That leads to the second category: a simple reflex agent with state.
    — John Werner, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • Some bass-heavy speakers can create an annoying booming sound from the reflex port at the rear of the speaker.
    — Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
Definition of reflex
Adjective
  • The demanding executive might uncover a passion for art; the strategic planner might embrace spontaneous adventure.
    — Lorraine Wiseman, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
  • First described in 2021, Marbach-Schaaf Syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a spontaneous (non-inherited) mutation in the PRKAR1B gene.
    — Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
Definition of spontaneous
Adjective
  • So marketers are faced with the challenge of adapting once again to a new reality, where buying isn’t driven by emotional response but by algorithms and robotic logic.
    — Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • In a warehouse setting, this means robotic arms could inspect the contents of packages moving down a conveyor belt without unpacking them.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2025
Definition of robotic
Adjective
  • Another customer says the soap works wonders for their mechanic husband and is powerful enough to remove dirt and grease.
    — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 10 July 2025
  • Before becoming a cofounder, Hildreth worked in roles that many would dismiss as mundane: mechanic, logistics officer and government contractor.
    — Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Definition of mechanic

Browse Nearby Words

instinct
instinctive
instinctively
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Cite this Entry

“Instinctive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinctive. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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