hardwired
adjective
hard·wired
ˈhärd-ˌwī(-ə)rd 
1
: implemented in the form of permanent electronic circuits
also
: connected or incorporated by or as if by permanent electrical connections
a hardwired phone
concepts of attractiveness may be universal and hardwired into the human brain —
Jane E. Brody
Jane E. Brody 2
: genetically or innately determined : inborn
creature whose every action is a reflexive, hardwired response—Natalie Angier
Natalie Angier
also
: genetically or innately predisposed
a human being who is hardwired to be sociable —Forbes
Forbes Examples of hardwired in a Sentence
a cat with a hardwired compulsion to knock expensive knickknacks off of shelves
Recent Examples on the Web
The next step in Eagleman’s argument is that there are too many channels in a human-to-human relationship for an A.I., or eventually a robot, to emulate—such as smell, touch, social interactions with friends and family—and that these aspects are hardwired into our natures.
—Jaron Lanier, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025
If that signal is strong enough to indicate that trouble is brewing, a hardwired battery/electronics module will send an alert to the farmer's mobile device via Bluetooth, or to their home computer via Wi-Fi or existing wireless networks.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 22 Mar. 2025
Since disgust evolved as a protective mechanism, this suggests that some people’s rejection thresholds are hardwired to be especially high—which, naturally, can make dating a lot more difficult.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
How much of who survives is luck, or are there people who are just hardwired like yourself to adjust at the right moments?
—Chris Willman, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardwired
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Jaron Lanier, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025
If that signal is strong enough to indicate that trouble is brewing, a hardwired battery/electronics module will send an alert to the farmer's mobile device via Bluetooth, or to their home computer via Wi-Fi or existing wireless networks.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 22 Mar. 2025
Since disgust evolved as a protective mechanism, this suggests that some people’s rejection thresholds are hardwired to be especially high—which, naturally, can make dating a lot more difficult.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
How much of who survives is luck, or are there people who are just hardwired like yourself to adjust at the right moments?
—Chris Willman, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardwired
Cite this Entry
“Hardwired.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hardwired. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hardwired
adjective
hard·wired
-ˌwī(ə)rd
: having or done using or as if using permanent electronic circuits or connections
a hardwired phone
a parent hardwired to defend their child
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