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 …

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 (ˈkaʊntərɪnˈtuɪtɪv , ˈkaʊntərɪnˈtjuɪtɪv ) adjective contrary to an intuitive belief or to commonsense expectations

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

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 …

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 …

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

Counterintuitive definition: Contrary to what intuition or common sense would indicate.