Skip to main content
instinctively

instinctively

58 3.9
To act without thinking as a natural reaction
  • adverb
  • /ɪnˈstɪŋktɪvli/
translation icon : instintivamente
  • And these are memories that were instinctively programmed by our genetics.
  • know instinctively
  • seek instinctively
  • turn instinctively

But I think I instinctively know I did offer some help.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • - As an I.P., you will instinctively know when something is off.

  • And we do this because we know instinctively that ice is slippery.

  • And I just instinctively knew that like something was off.

  • And I think it came so instinctively to me.

  • It's we instinctively feel the pain of the thing we have if we lose it.

  • I know that... but I felt instinctively that you had a headache.

  • The boys come close, kneel at his side, and instinctively reach out to him.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Also, he headed instinctively for Japan, like a salmon returning to the waters in which he was born.

  • Then the man was upon them, standing so close she instinctively slid farther back along the seat.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • When the dog sensed danger, it instinctively barked to alert its owner.

Synonyms

naturally
vsinstinctively
144 1.8

Because of a person's usual character, not outside influence

is an action prompted by impulses rather than familiar habit
automatically
vsinstinctively
77 2.9

Without thinking, as a natural reaction

is caused by inner impulses rather than mere automatic response
intuitively
vsinstinctively
21 6.1

Using a quick inner feeling instead of careful thought

is driven by inborn impulses rather than inward sense
reflexively
vsinstinctively
12 5.4

To act without thinking because of a quick physical reaction

is a mental impulse causing action rather than a bodily reflex
innately
vsinstinctively
8 5.6

In a natural way that someone has from birth

is an action caused by impulses rather than an inborn trait
viscerally
vsinstinctively
7 7.9

Based on deep gut feelings instead of careful thought

is based on raw natural impulses rather than mostly emotional feeling
instinctually
vsinstinctively
2 6.3

To act without thinking because of a natural feeling

is driven by impulses rather than conscious reasoning
reflexly
vsinstinctively
  • Specialized
9.8

Automatically and without thinking as the body reacts

is a prompt inner impulse leading to action rather than a physical reflex
primally
vsinstinctively
8.8

In a way that uses basic instinct without thinking

is about automatic responses from ordinary impulses rather than primitiveness

Antonyms

320 3.7

To do something on purpose and with care

43 3.7

In a careful way that shows you pay attention before deciding

How Instinctive

reflexively
12 5.4
instinctively
58 3.9
automatically
77 2.9
intuitively
21 6.1

Surface Forms

instinctively positive

Morphology

instinctively = instinctive (transparent) = instinct + ive + ly

Derived by regular adjectival and adverbial suffixation (instinct → instinctive → instinctively), so the adverbial meaning is predictable.

Etymology

Instinctively comes from the Latin word instinctus, which meant a 'natural urge' or 'push'. So, to act instinctively is to do something quickly without thinking because your body gives you that inner 'push'.