instinctive Meaning, Definition & Usage

adjective satellite unthinking; prompted by (or as if by) instinct
natural.
- a cat's natural aversion to water
- offering to help was as instinctive as breathing

Cf. F. instinctif.

Of or pertaining to instinct; derived from, or prompted by, instinct; of the nature of instinct; determined by natural impulse or propensity; acting or produced without reasoning, deliberation, instruction, or experience; spontaneous. "Instinctive motion." Milton. "Instinctive dread." Cowper.
With taste instinctive give Each grace appropriate. Mason.

Have we had instinctive intimations of the death of some absent friends? Bp. Hall.
✍ The terms instinctive belief, instinctive judgment, instinctive cognition, are expressions not ill adapted to characterize a belief, judgment, or cognition, which, as the result of no anterior consciousness, is, like the products of animal instinct, the intelligent effect of (as far as we are concerned) an unknown cause. Sir H. Hamilton. Syn. -- Natural; voluntary; spontaneous; original; innate; inherent; automatic.