Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for instinctual.
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 rest of Kennard’s learning has been through conversations with coaches, film study and instinctual play on the court.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

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

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

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

From Salon • Apr. 9, 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

Mark is carrying it now, both of them having already switched into some kind of instinctual survival mode.

From "The Kill Order (Maze Runner, Book Four; Origin)" by James Dashner