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
• instinctual
• involuntary
• knee-jerk
• mechanic
• mechanical
• robotic
• spontaneous

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

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

More From Newsweek Vault: Walmart+ Members Get New Perk Aimed at Pet Owners As a service dog trained in personal protection, Bruce's reaction was instinctive yet controlled—barking to create distance without any physical aggression. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024

Baker is an athletic, instinctive and versatile playmaker who can wreck a game if he’s not properly accounted for. —Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 31 Oct. 2024

Most of our single choices were made through instinctive choices. —Devon Ivie, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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