INNATE Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'innate' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of innate are congenital , hereditary , inborn , and inbred . While all these words mean "not acquired after birth," innate applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature. // an innate sense of fair play

Q: How are the words 'congenital' and 'hereditary' related as synonyms of 'innate'?

Both congenital and hereditary refer to what is acquired before or at birth, the former to things acquired during fetal development and the latter to things transmitted from one's ancestors. // a congenital heart murmur // eye color is hereditary

Q: When would 'inborn' be a good substitute for 'innate'?

The meanings of inborn and innate largely overlap; however, inborn suggests a quality or tendency either actually present at birth or so marked and deep-seated as to seem so. // her inborn love of nature

Q: When might 'inbred' be a better fit than 'innate'?

The synonyms inbred and innate are sometimes interchangeable, but inbred suggests something either acquired from parents by heredity or so deeply rooted and ingrained as to seem acquired in that way. // inbred political loyalties

innate

adjective

i-ˈnāt

Definition of innate next

as in inherent

being a part of the innermost nature of a person or thing an innate athletic ability that allowed him to excel at just about any sport he tried his hand at

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How is the word innate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of innate are congenital, hereditary, inborn, and inbred. While all these words mean "not acquired after birth," innate applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature.

an innate sense of fair play

How are the words congenital and hereditary related as synonyms of innate?

Both congenital and hereditary refer to what is acquired before or at birth, the former to things acquired during fetal development and the latter to things transmitted from one's ancestors.

a congenital heart murmur

eye color is hereditary

When would inborn be a good substitute for innate?

The meanings of inborn and innate largely overlap; however, inborn suggests a quality or tendency either actually present at birth or so marked and deep-seated as to seem so.

her inborn love of nature

When might inbred be a better fit than innate?

The synonyms inbred and innate are sometimes interchangeable, but inbred suggests something either acquired from parents by heredity or so deeply rooted and ingrained as to seem acquired in that way.

inbred political loyalties

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of innate Titled Sofía Valdés, the LP showcases both her vocals and innate talent as a lyricist and producer. —

Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 10 Dec. 2024 As the league’s most efficient offense, the team relies on his ability to stretch the floor, his physicality on the boards, and his innate feel for the game. —

Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 8 Dec. 2024 By leveraging this innate ability, leaders can foster better communication, reduce stress and ultimately increase overall performance. —

Sahar Andrade, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024 The non-specific prayer hints at an innate paganism, a murky complexity roiling beneath Ellen’s adolescent purity; that double nature is increasingly manifest in Depp’s performance as the plot advances. —

David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for innate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for innate

Adjective

Vacancy rates for specialized AI skills like natural language processing (NLP) are as high as 15%, while demand for inherent skills such as continuous learning, resilience, empathy and ethical judgment have surged by 81%.

Sander van ‘t Noordende, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
There’s an inherent appeal to library tourism—seeing the places where nations hold their collective knowledge and history.

Laura Studarus, WIRED, 16 Dec. 2024