hardwired

adjective

ˈhärd-ˌwī(-ə)rd How to pronounce hardwired (audio)
Definition of hardwirednext
as in inherent
being a part of the innermost nature of a person or thing a cat with a hardwired compulsion to knock expensive knickknacks off of shelves

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 hardwired That human beings calcify like stalagmites is one of those idiosyncrasies that is hardwired into our genetic coding, and at a certain point everyone becomes a caricature of themselves. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 5 June 2026 Top figures could avoid vulnerable communications, rely on couriers or hardwired systems, and disperse authority before an operation begins. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026 The Spurs and Thunder are hardwired to execute by now, thanks to the coding inputted during the regular season. — Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 16 May 2026 This means that nature doesn’t stop at the property line, and pests are biological entities that are hardwired to search for food, water and shelter. — Kody Boye, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hardwired
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardwired
  1. inherent
  2. intrinsic
  3. integral
  4. essential
Adjective
  • Reviewers especially love their structured design, one of the hallmarks of a more durable, tight weave that lends the style its inherent stability.
    — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026
  • While an option like the orange-and-white stripe accentuates the sofa’s inherent whimsy, it’d be easy to achieve a more serious look with one of the solid-colored upholstery options.
    — Alyssa Marino Williams, Architectural Digest, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of inherent
Adjective
  • This growth is rooted in the Brunson family's consistent philosophy of mental toughness and collective effort, ensuring the mission remains centered on intrinsic motivation and lasting community impact, independent of on-court accolades.
    — Mena Mirhom, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Meredith estimates Berkshire shares are trading at an 8% discount to intrinsic value.
    — Yun Li, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of intrinsic
Adjective
  • Jack Reacher, protagonist of books by Lee Child and an ongoing Amazon drama, has several characteristics integral to his Jack Reacher-ness.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The strong winds not only carry the sensation of discomfort, but also serendipitously become an integral character of the film.
    — Matilda Hague, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of integral
Adjective
  • One of those arrangements just survived Supreme Court review as essential to the integrity of the number.
    — Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Rafael Pelli, Pelli’s son and a partner at Pelli Clarke & Partners, told The Art Newspaper that the natural environment surrounding the center was an essential element in its design.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of essential

Browse Nearby Words

hardware
hardwired
hardworking
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hardwired.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardwired. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on hardwired

Nglish: Translation of hardwired for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All