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 Sleep is actually counterintuitive; overtiredness will cause restless sleep and early morning starts. Lola Sanchez, Parents, 29 May 2024 Our first edition is about the perhaps counterintuitive idea that buying stuff online can actually be better for the planet than driving to a store. Ryan McCarthy, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for counterintuitive 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'counterintuitive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterintuitive was in 1955

Dictionary Entries Near counterintuitive

Cite this Entry

“Counterintuitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterintuitive. Accessed 3 Jun. 2024.

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