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
As the self-sufficient adolescent Ari, Bateman delivers a performance wise beyond her years, with whip-smart comedic and dramatic timing born from instinctive avoidance.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025
Reasons Why Yelling at Kids Doesn't Work Yelling at your kids often feels like an instinctive reaction when anger or frustration takes over.
—Daryl Austin, Parents, 14 Mar. 2025
But while Greenlaw was an instinctive and fast learner who started 14 games as a rookie, including 73 snaps in the Super Bowl, Winters has been slower in developing.
—Matt Barrows, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025
Shift from instinctive meaning-making to intentional meaning-making.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instinctive
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Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025
Reasons Why Yelling at Kids Doesn't Work Yelling at your kids often feels like an instinctive reaction when anger or frustration takes over.
—Daryl Austin, Parents, 14 Mar. 2025
But while Greenlaw was an instinctive and fast learner who started 14 games as a rookie, including 73 snaps in the Super Bowl, Winters has been slower in developing.
—Matt Barrows, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025
Shift from instinctive meaning-making to intentional meaning-making.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 11 Mar. 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 20 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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