Counterintuitive
/ˌkaʊntərɪnˈtuːɪtɪv/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Counterintuitive means that something does not follow the usual or expected way your mind understands things. It is the opposite of what seems logical or natural at first. Often, it surprises people because it challenges their normal thinking.
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See It in Action
Something that seems wrong or strange to common sense or first thoughts
- •It is counterintuitive to think that adding more workers could slow down a project.
- •The solution to the problem was counterintuitive but very effective.
- •His advice was counterintuitive, but it worked well in practice.
Describing ideas or results that go against usual expectations or feelings
- •The experiment showed counterintuitive results that surprised the scientists.
- •Some counterintuitive facts about physics can be hard to believe.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "counterintuitive" like "surprising," but specifically when something feels wrong or opposite to what your mind expects
- ✓Picture a sign that says "Push" on a door that you have to pull—this feels confusing and opposite to what you think
- ✓It's the feeling when you expect one thing to happen, but the opposite happens instead
- ✓Sounds like "counter" (against) + "intuitive" (based on your natural feeling)—so it means "against your natural feeling"
- ✓Imagine a puzzle where the solution is the opposite of what you first guess
- ✓NOT like "intuitive" (easy to understand or natural)—counterintuitive is the opposite, hard to believe or understand at first
- ✓NOT like "weird" (strange without reason)—counterintuitive has a reason, but it goes against usual thinking
- ✓NOT like "illogical" (without logic)—counterintuitive can still be logical, just different from what you expect
Try Other Words
- •Paradoxical: seeming strange because it is the opposite of what you expect (Use when the idea or result seems strange but is true)
- •Unexpected: not what you thought would happen (Use in general situations where something is not predicted)
- •Illogical: not logical or reasonable (Use when something does not make sense at all, unlike counterintuitive which can still be logical)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "counter-" (against) + "intuitive" (based on intuition or natural feeling)
- •Etymology: "counter" from Latin meaning "against," and "intuitive" from Latin "intueri" meaning "to look at, understand naturally"
- •Historical development: The word started being used in the 20th century to describe ideas or results that go against natural understanding or instinct
- •Modern usage: Common in science, psychology, and everyday language to describe things that are true or work well but feel opposite to what we expect
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when you believed something was true but later found out it was counterintuitive?
•How can knowing that some ideas are counterintuitive help you learn better or solve problems differently?
Fill in the blanks
1.It feels ___ when a counterintuitive idea goes against what most people ___.
2.The experiment gave counterintuitive results that were ___ to understand but ___ correct.
3.Sometimes, solving a problem requires a counterintuitive approach that seems ___ but works well.
4.The advice was counterintuitive, meaning it did not match ___ thinking or ___.
5.Unlike simple or intuitive solutions, counterintuitive ones often need more ___ to explain.
6.When something is counterintuitive, people may ___ it at first because it goes ___ their natural beliefs.
7.Scientists study counterintuitive facts to ___ why things happen differently than expected.