counterintuitive

adjective

coun·​ter·​in·​tu·​i·​tive ˌkau̇n-tər-in-ˈtü-ə-tiv How to pronounce counterintuitive (audio)
-ˈtyü-
: contrary to what one would intuitively expect
As counterintuitive as it may seem, the universe has no center, and it has no boundary.Jim Bell
counterintuitively adverb

Examples of counterintuitive in a Sentence

It may seem counterintuitive, but we do burn calories when we are sleeping.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Heavy drinkers were less likely to have hypertension and stroke — a result that may seem counterintuitive. Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 10 Apr. 2025 Making the Chinese people poorer is counterintuitive. Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 Her outlook might sound counterintuitive: Employees do, in fact, work for their bosses. Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2025 Starting a business during a recession may also seem counterintuitive, but economic downturns present advantages for new ventures. Jason Schenker, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for counterintuitive

Word History

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterintuitive was in 1955

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Cite this Entry

“Counterintuitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterintuitive. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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