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counterintuitive

The definition of counterintuitive is something that goes against what you believe would be logical, or something that goes against common sense.

(adjective)

When treating someone badly makes him like you more instead of less, this is an example of something that is counterintuitive.

See counterintuitive in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

contrary to an intuitive belief or to common-sense expectations

See counterintuitive in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Contrary to what intuition or common sense would indicate: “Scientists made clear what may at first seem counterintuitive, that the capacity to be pleasant toward a fellow creature is … hard work” (Natalie Angier).

Related Forms:

counˌter·in·tuˈi·tive·ly adverb

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