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Definition of counterintuitive

counterintuitive

/ˌkaʊntərɪnˈtuːɪtɪv/
coun · ter · in · tu · i · tive
Adverb:counterintuitively
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counterintuitive Lexical Profile

• adjective

1

Contrary to what one would naturally expect or what seems obvious through intuition or common sense.

Example

"Steering into a skid on an icy road feels completely counterintuitive, yet it is the safest way to regain control of the vehicle."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for counterintuitive
Antonyms
View all antonyms for counterintuitive

Word Nuance & Usage

'Counterintuitive' describes something that is factually true or effective despite contradicting common sense, whereas 'illogical' or 'irrational' implies that something lacks valid reasoning altogether.

• Rhymes for counterintuitive

• Nearby Words

counterfeiter
counterflow
counterforce
counterintuitive
counterintuitively
counterman
countermeasure

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-20th century by combining the prefix 'counter-' (from Old French 'contre', meaning 'against') with 'intuitive' (from Medieval Latin 'intuitivus', from Latin 'intueri', meaning 'to look upon' or 'consider').

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Counterintuitive. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/counterintuitive
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