intrinsically

adverb

in·​trin·​si·​cal·​ly in-ˈtrin-zi-k(ə-)lē 

-ˈtrin(t)-si-

: in an intrinsic manner : by natural character : in itself

an intrinsically difficult language

intrinsically evil/valuable

The media do not have to go along with the pretense that there is something intrinsically virtuous about a movement with no leaders.

—David Carr

While etymologies of such terms are intrinsically interesting, they can also serve one of the aims of critical pedagogies …

—Jennifer Beech

Environmentalists have tended to treat big buildings as intrinsically wasteful, because large amounts of energy are expended in their construction, and because the buildings place intensely localized stresses on sewers, power lines, and water systems.

—David Owen

Synonyms

• congenitally
• constitutionally
• inherently
• innately
• naturally

Examples of intrinsically in a Sentence

he's worked hard to be good at baseball, as he's not intrinsically athletic

Recent Examples on the Web

The conversation around money is undergoing a radical transformation, with many now demanding more transparent discussions about finances, recognizing that economic wellness is intrinsically linked to mental and physical health. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 24 Jan. 2025

The merger of black holes is intrinsically linked to the emission of gravitational waves. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Jan. 2025

Not only is designing, building and maintaining a secure data pipeline intrinsically tricky, but analytics and engineering teams also contend with competing priorities and do not specialize in security and governance. —Taylor Brown, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025

Research suggests intrinsically motivated people are less likely to quit than their extrinsically motivated counterparts. —Noma Nazish, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined above