What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
instinctive
Example
The baby's instinctive reflex was to grasp onto the finger. [instinctive: adjective]
Example
The animal's instinctive behavior helped it survive in the wild. [instinctive: adjective]
spontaneous
Example
She made a spontaneous decision to go on a road trip. [spontaneous: adjective]
Example
The crowd erupted into spontaneous applause at the end of the performance. [spontaneous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spontaneous is more commonly used than instinctive in everyday language. Spontaneous is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while instinctive is less common and has a more specific connotation related to biology or animal behavior.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between instinctive and spontaneous?
Both instinctive and spontaneous can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but instinctive may be perceived as more technical or scientific due to its association with biology or animal behavior.
