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

This behavior is an instinctive extension of the in-utero environment where constant proximity to the mother provided warmth, security and the steady rhythm of her heartbeat. —Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025

With a guy that height who can move like that and is that instinctive, with those type of ball skills, those guys don’t come around every year. —Chad Graff, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025

The Babel Table was fittingly paired with a bassoonist who had tricked out her own instrument with a number of effects pedals and seemed to share an instinctive musical language with Jean-François, and Nicola succeeded in manifesting full-on haunted-cathedral vibes with Thales. —Matthew Sherrill, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025

As soon as the end credits begin to roll, Polly leaps from the couch and heads straight into their crate, signaling an instinctive understanding that the show's conclusion means bedtime. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for instinctive

• distinctive

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