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Definition of instinctual

instinctual

/ɪnˈstɪŋk.tʃu.əl/
in · stinct · u · al
Adverb:instinctually
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instinctual Lexical Profile

instinctual Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Relating to, prompted by, or arising from innate biological instinct rather than conscious thought, reasoning, or training.

Example

"Sea turtles have an instinctual drive to move toward the ocean immediately after hatching."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for instinctual

Word Nuance & Usage

While often used interchangeably with 'instinctive' in general contexts, 'instinctual' is preferred in psychology and biology to describe traits strictly rooted in innate biological drives, whereas 'instinctive' can also describe deeply ingrained learned habits.

• Nearby Words

instinct
instinctive
instinctively
instinctual
instinctually
institute
institution

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the mid-19th century from 'instinct' (from Latin 'instinctus', meaning impulse or instigation) plus the adjectival suffix '-ual', modeled on words like 'intellectual' and 'habitual'.

Cite this Entry

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