Synonym Chooser

How is the word inborn different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of inborn are congenital, hereditary, inbred, and innate. While all these words mean "not acquired after birth," inborn suggests a quality or tendency either actually present at birth or so marked and deep-seated as to seem so.

her inborn love of nature

How do congenital and hereditary relate to one another, in the sense of inborn?

Both congenital and hereditary refer to what is acquired before or at birth, the former to things acquired during fetal development and the latter to things transmitted from one's ancestors.

a congenital heart murmur
eye color is hereditary

When can inbred be used instead of inborn?

The words inbred and inborn are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inbred suggests something either acquired from parents by heredity or so deeply rooted and ingrained as to seem acquired in that way.

inbred political loyalties

In what contexts can innate take the place of inborn?

The synonyms innate and inborn are sometimes interchangeable, but innate applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature.

an innate sense of fair play

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inborn Solo play, though accounted for in development, is a sort of ultra-challenge mode that most players are not going to be able to do at all, especially with no inborn self-revive, even one instance. Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025 Platt notes that this change in approach came at a time when popular ideas about race were shifting toward a focus on inborn, genetic differences. Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 28 Jan. 2025 The biggest concern, according to eugenicists, was that these antisocial tendencies were inborn—that genes for crime and poverty were being smuggled into the country in the blood of immigrants. Arthur Caplan, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2024 Her looks and style seem inborn. Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for inborn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inborn
Adjective
  • The idea is to insulate yourself against the market’s inherent volatility, and to have sufficient cash to cover your expenses in a downturn.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Music directors Jordan Summers and Nick Vincent did a classic song that passes too quickly on record a great service by extending it by a few choruses, giving Valentine a chance to wring the emotion out of it that was only inherent in Zevon’s necessarily simpler delivery.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Previous studies relied on a process known as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which amplifies small or degraded fragments of DNA, allowing scientists to analyze genetic material even from old or damaged organic matter.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2025
  • After removing environmental contamination, the team sequenced and analyzed the genetic material.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Market cycles have always been intrinsic to investing.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
  • There’s an intrinsic magic that happens on board.
    Chrissie McClatchie, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This early modern period would set the foundations of the rise of the transatlantic slave trade and a new form of slavery—hereditary racial slavery—that would be central to the creation of the racial-caste hierarchy and to the rise of Britain’s wealthy and brutal Caribbean slave empire.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Most cases of early-onset cancer are not explained by a heritable factor, but Ng said those diagnosed with any cancer at a young age have a higher chance of being diagnosed with a hereditary syndrome, such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis.
    Andrea Kane, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Ambition, perseverance and integrity are integral to your journey.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
  • This makes sense and is integral to our story.
    Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The last thing an inherited home or property should bring about is unnecessary stress or financial strain.
    Ronny Maye, Essence, 1 Sep. 2025
  • Coaching again focused on thinking, teaching participants to engage in generative conversations about inherited truths, surfacing blind spots and nurturing innovation.
    Thomas Lim, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • For me, it’s been really essential to read a lot of great information, and to come at the world filled with knowledge and all these ideas of, in my view, much smarter and braver people than myself.
    Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
  • But fostering creativity, curiosity, and empathy are also essential for organizations to remain competitive and resilient.
    Fortune Editors, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Citizenship strategy has moved from a fringe consideration to standard practice among high-net-worth families, with parents and grandparents increasingly viewing passports as a form of inheritable wealth.
    Alex Ohnona, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
  • These shares are also inheritable, allowing them to be passed on to heirs.
    Daniela Sanjinés, The Conversation, 22 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inborn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inborn. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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