Instinctual and Intentional

Opposite meaning words

Instinctual adjective - Done instantly and without conscious thought or decision.

Usage example: the birds' instinctual response is to fly away when startled

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Intentional is an antonym for instinctual.

Intentional adjective - Made, given, or done with full awareness of what one is doing.

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Instinctual is an antonym for intentional.

Cite this Source

Intentional and Instinctual. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/instinctual/intentional

Instinctual & Intentional. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/instinctual/intentional>.

Intentional or Instinctual. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/instinctual/intentional.

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