Definitions

instinctual

[in-stingk-choo-uhl] / ɪnˈstɪŋk tʃu əl /

ADJECTIVE

instinctive

Synonyms

WEAK

accustomed by seat of one's pants congenital habitual impulsive inborn ingrained inherent innate intrinsic intuitional intuitive involuntary knee-jerk mechanical native natural normal regular rooted second-nature spontaneous typical unlearned unmeditated unpremeditated unprompted unthinking visceral

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.

“The Drama” demands discomfort before defying it, making for a sophisticated viewing experience that questions our instinctual judgments.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

That’s when something tightened, a brief, instinctual clam-closing and then loosening again just as fast.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026

“Yermak was more a sort of instinctual negotiator…Budanov has his instincts, but I think he’s going to be much more punctilious about the preparations.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

The great taboo against touching another’s dæmon was not instinctual but learned, then.

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman

instinctual

Example Sentences

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