What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unintuitive
Example
The new software was unintuitive and took some time to get used to. [unintuitive: adjective]
Example
The unintuitiveness of the design made it hard for users to navigate. [unintuitiveness: noun]
counterintuitive
Example
It may seem counterintuitive, but sometimes the best way to solve a problem is to step away from it. [counterintuitive: adjective]
Example
The counterintuitiveness of the experiment's results left the researchers puzzled. [counterintuitiveness: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Counterintuitive is more commonly used than unintuitive in everyday language. Counterintuitive is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while unintuitive is less common and more specific to technical or academic contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between unintuitive and counterintuitive?
Both unintuitive and counterintuitive are formal words that are typically used in academic or technical contexts. However, counterintuitive can also be used in informal contexts to describe unexpected or surprising situations.