innate

[ih-neyt, in-eyt] / ɪˈneɪt, ˈɪn eɪt /

ADJECTIVE

inherited, native

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deep-seated elemental inborn ingrained inherent instinctive intrinsic intuitive

WEAK

congenital connate connatural constitutional essential hereditary inbred indigenous natural normal regular standard typical unacquired

Antonyms

STRONGEST

acquired extrinsic incidental learned meditated

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

We have this almost innate sense of: Well, if they indict someone, that person probably did something pretty bad.

From Slate • May 22, 2026

Lopez soon joined local girls and boys teams where she often played in defence, and her innate talent caught the attention of Alba Mellado.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Humor resonates with something individual, possibly innate and probably inexplicable inside each of us; our sense of it is something we can’t control.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

But it’s the BBC’s negligence that highlights both the importance of “I Swear” and its innate shortcomings.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

He seemed to have an innate, deep-seated sense of rhythm.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown

Vocabulary lists containing innate

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