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 The instinctive response is often to absorb more work internally. — Natalie Ruiz, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 His instinctive reaction, tearful after losing another final, was to throw in the towel, to announce his career with Argentina was over at the age of 29, to focus on his club career, which by comparison brought him so much joy and so little anxiety. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 19 July 2026 Researchers also aim to integrate the sensing-actuation loop directly into soft robots, enabling instinctive responses, while using its rich force signals to improve perception and interaction in complex environments. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026 Professional momentum builds as the instinctive Moon conjoins passionate Mars in your 10th House of Career, turning focus into action on a goal that lifts your public standing. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for instinctive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinctive
  1. automatic
  2. mechanical
  3. reflex
  4. spontaneous
  5. instinctual
  6. robotic
  7. mechanic
Adjective
  • The new safeguards include requiring law enforcement to label every search with a with a criminal case number, and instituting an automatic review for abnormal search activities, which will trigger proactive lockouts for those users.
    — Soo Youn, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The Institute for Justice, a nonprofit law firm specializing in civil liberties cases, identified over 100 incidents of automatic license plate reader abuse, including stalking and wrongful stops.
    — Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of automatic
Adjective
  • Researchers in Germany are developing textile yarns that can repeatedly shorten and lengthen in response to temperature changes, potentially allowing fabrics to alter their shape without motors or other mechanical components.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Tire debris damaged the aircraft and contributed to multiple mechanical problems.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of mechanical
Adjective
  • One breath, just long enough to let the reflex pass and judgment catch up.
    — Alfonso Cahero, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • One of the most notable advantages of reflex balls is their inherent unpredictability.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 23 July 2026
Definition of reflex
Adjective
  • This case is small enough for spontaneous games by the lake, in an airport lounge, or after a long lunch that stretches into sunset cocktails—even the simplest games deserve first-class treatment.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Doctors diagnosed the man with a spontaneous epidural hematoma, which is a blood clot that forms in the head or spine without any preceding trauma.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of spontaneous
Adjective
  • The monarchs’ feats of navigation are enabled by their internal technology, a set of instinctual tools that in some ways surpasses our understanding.
    — Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
  • When someone’s raging at you, two phrases seem almost instinctual to say.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 16 July 2026
Definition of instinctual
Adjective
  • Securing a flagship robotic vacuum with pressurized stain pre-treatment, active self-washing roller mopping, and a bagless cyclonic dock for under $900 is an exceptional value.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Both the United States and China plan to send robotic explorers to the south pole later this year, paving the way for human explorers to follow close behind.
    — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of robotic
Adjective
  • In a packed, bustling restaurant, collective chatter reaches cacophonous levels, which is where mechanic Ninh (Nguyễn Quốc Tuấn) comes in.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Ben Jones, known to millions as the affable — if mischievous — mechanic Cooter on The Dukes of Hazzard, died today at the age of 84.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 9 Aug. 2026
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 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on instinctive

Nglish: Translation of instinctive for Spanish Speakers

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