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

2

: genetically or innately determined : inborn

creature whose every action is a reflexive, hardwired response

—Natalie Angier

also : genetically or innately predisposed

a human being who is hardwired to be sociable

—Forbes

Synonyms

• built-in
• constitutional
• constitutive
• essential
• immanent
• inborn
• inbred
• indigenous
• ingrain
• ingrained
• engrained
• inherent
• innate
• integral
• intrinsic
• native
• natural

Examples of hardwired in a Sentence

a cat with a hardwired compulsion to knock expensive knickknacks off of shelves

Recent Examples on the Web

But this secret weapon for civility is biologically hardwired. —Jon Lapook, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2024

These were conventional doctors and endocrinologists, who, in my experience, are hardwired to believe your body’s systems are discrete and absolute, rather than parts of an interwoven whole. —Melissa Kenny, refinery29.com, 30 Oct. 2024

The human mind is hardwired for survival to focus on the negative threats of a situation. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 14 Sep. 2024

The gigabit Ethernet add-on, which is implemented into the power adapter, is also worthwhile; a hardwired internet connection is always more reliable. —Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 21 May 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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