Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In an instinctive manner; by force of instinct.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adverb In an instinctive manner; by force of instinct; by natural impulse.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb Innately, by instinct, without being taught.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb as a matter of instinct

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

instinctive +‎ -ly

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Examples

  • On the other hand, McCain instinctively leans toward linking length of service with benefits -- his stated reason for opposing Webb's "New GI Bill" -- so perhaps that's the direction of his thinking on VA care as well.

    VA Rationing, Rationale - Swampland - TIME.com 2008

  • Your companions, too, are safely domiciled inside their own caverns, to which your wearable anti-avalanche home plugs in instinctively with filamental tunnels.

    Archive 2007-11-01 2007

  • Pukulin instinctively kicked at the loose cables, his boots pushing them apart.

    365 tomorrows » 2007 » August : A New Free Flash Fiction SciFi Story Every Day 2007

  • Your companions, too, are safely domiciled inside their own caverns, to which your wearable anti-avalanche home plugs in instinctively with filamental tunnels.

    Wearable Anti-Avalanche Homes 2007

  • The captain instinctively began to slow his breathing.

    365 tomorrows » 2006 » September : A New Free Flash Fiction SciFi Story Every Day 2006

  • Just mention "Upper Churchill" and instinctively people know the code word for "give-away".

    Archive 2006-04-01 Ed Hollett 2006

  • He shrank as instinctively from the thought of love as a man shrinks from re-opening an old wound which is still sensitive to the touch, though it has ceased to ache.

    The Miller of Old Church 1911

  • It was only by slow degrees I did so, truly; for she was not one of those gentle creatures whom, married or single, one calls instinctively by their Christian names.

    John Halifax, Gentleman Dinah Maria Mulock Craik 1856

  • I ticked his name instinctively but before clicking in my selection, I just thought "let me have a look at the other ten players" and I realised that six bowlers is definitely too many.

    Cricket Web - Latest News 2009

  • I ticked his name instinctively but before clicking in my selection, I just thought "let me have a look at the other ten players" and I realised that six bowlers is definitely too many.

    Cricket Web - Latest News 2009

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