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
V. L. Parrington
instinctively
adverb
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
See All Example Sentences for instinctive
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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
See All Example Sentences for instinctive
Articles Related to instinctive
Cite this Entry
“Instinctive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instinctive. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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