What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
viscerally
Example
The movie's graphic violence affected me viscerally. [viscerally: adverb]
Example
I had a visceral reaction to the smell of the rotting food. [visceral: adjective]
instinctively
Example
The child instinctively reached out to grab the hot pan. [instinctively: adverb]
Example
When threatened, animals will instinctively defend themselves. [instinctive: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Instinctively is more commonly used than viscerally in everyday language. Instinctively is a versatile word that can be used in a wide range of contexts, while viscerally is more limited in scope and is primarily used to describe emotional reactions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between viscerally and instinctively?
Both viscerally and instinctively are informal words that are more likely to be used in casual conversation than in formal writing or speech.
