counterintuitive

coun·ter·in·tu·i·tive

(koun′tər-ĭn-to͞o′ĭ-tĭv, -tyo͞o′-)

adj.

Contrary to what intuition or common sense would indicate: "Scientists made clear what may at first seem counterintuitive, that the capacity to be pleasant toward a fellow creature is ... hard work" (Natalie Angier).

coun′ter·in·tu′i·tive·ly adv.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

counterintuitive

(ˌkaʊntərɪnˈtjuːɪtɪv)

adj

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

2. (Military) intelligence collected about enemy espionage

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

coun•ter•in•tu•i•tive

(ˌkaʊn tər ɪnˈtu ɪ tɪv, -ˈtyu-)

adj.

counter to what intuition would lead one to expect.

[1960–65]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

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Adj. 1. counterintuitive - contrary to what common sense would suggest

unreasonable - not reasonable; not showing good judgment

Translations

contre-intuitif

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