The meaning of COUNTERINTUITIVE is contrary to what one would intuitively expect. How to use counterintuitive in a sentence.

It may seem counterintuitive to open a shop in the middle of a recession. Steering a sailboat is counterintuitive - you push the tiller the opposite way to the way you want to go. His careful and …

COUNTERINTUITIVE definition: counter to what intuition would lead one to expect. See examples of counterintuitive used in a sentence.

counterintuitive (ˌkaʊntərɪnˈtjuːɪtɪv) adj 1. (of an idea, proposal, etc) seemingly contrary to common sense

counterintuitive in American English (ˌkauntərɪnˈtuːɪtɪv, -ˈtjuː-) adjective counter to what intuition would lead one to expect

Definition of counter-intuitive adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Counterintuitive (adj.) refers to something that goes against what one would intuitively expect. It describes events, ideas, or actions that defy common sense or logical reasoning, yet may hold true …

If something is counterintuitive it means it's the opposite of "intuitive" — in other words it's not easily understood in an instinctive, unconscious way. A red light for "go" and a green light for "stop" would …

COUNTERINTUITIVE meaning: different from what you would expect not agreeing with what seems right or natural

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025 coun•ter•in•tu•i•tive (koun′tər in to̅o̅′ i tiv, -tyo̅o̅′ -), adj. counter to what intuition would lead one to expect: The direction we …