The Meaning of Inherently: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the definition of inherently? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word inherently, including its definition, usage, example sentences, and more!

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What does the word inherently mean?

According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the adverb inherently (pronunciation of inherently: in-ˈher-ənt-ly) means involved in the construction or essential character of something. This can also refer to something that belongs to something else by nature. This is a sort of inseparable element, natural parts or attribute, inherent qualities, or essential constituent that is naturally within someone or something. This can refer to any sort of subject matter or behavior. Related words include the adjective inherent.

Many different languages also contain words that mean inherently. You may notice that some of these inherently translations look and sound alike. These are called cognates. Cognates are when two words look and sound similar as well as mean something similar across languages. These are often formed when two words have the same root or language of origin such as Latin or Greek. This list of translations of inherently is provided by Word Sense.

  •  Russian: по су́ти‎, по существу́‎, в су́щности‎
  •  Italian: intrinsecamente‎
  •  Mandarin: 本质‎ (běnzhí)
  •  Swedish: inherent‎
  •  Finnish: olennaisesti‎, luonnollisesti‎, itsessään‎
  •  Portuguese: intrinsecamente‎
  •  Haitian Creole: natirèlman‎
  •  Georgian: არსებითად‎
  •  Greek: εγγενώς‎
  •  French: intrinsèquement‎
  •  Romanian: inerent‎, inalienabil‎
  •  Spanish: inherentemente‎
  •  Walloon: divintrinnmint‎

How can the word inherently be used in a sentence?

There are many different ways in which the word inherently can be used in a sentence. This word is neither considered casual nor formal, so it can be used in a variety of different contexts and settings. You can use this word in anything from a casual text message to a formal letter or professional email. Attempting to use new words in sentences in your everyday life is a great way to expand your vocabulary and remember what a word means. Below are a few examples of inherently.

Dictatorships and monarchies are inherently volatile, such as when Egypt laid claim to the southern half of Palestine, though it was outside the limits of Egypt on the Sinaitic Peninsula. 

The sand-hills were inherently dry and barren; they soaked up any drop of moisture like a sponge and nothing could grow. 

It was in an inherent manner that he woke up at such early times. His parents would get up to run the bakery, and as a child he would rise with the sun to get a whiff of the morning bakes.

The first problem with the intellectual presentation was that the speaker could not give a conclusive answer to any of the questions. He was inherently intelligent, but struggled to explain the vision of the mind to others. 

The employees had inherent issues with the privacy policy of the company. They did not like that their superiors could see the cookies and search history on their personal device. 

Susie quickly grew frustrated with her sister. It seemed that she was inherently good at everything, from athletics, to academics, to making friends, and that Susie struggled to do anything right. Susie desperately wanted to be more like her sister but her parents saw the good in Susie as well.

The philosopher pondered if she believed that people were inherently good or inherently evil. She had heard many arguments on either side of this great debate, but could never determine where her personal philosophies lied.

While the man was an inherently talented musician, he was not good at working with others. Every time he joined a new band, there was some interpersonal conflict and they ended up falling apart as quickly as they formed. 

What is the origin of the word inherently?

According to Etymonline, the word inherently is the adverb form of the adjective inherent. Inherent has been used since the 1570s, from the Latin inhaerantem, the nominative inhaerens, the present participle of inhaerēre, a Latin verb meaning to be closely connected with. This comes from the prefix in and the root haerere, meaning to adhere or stick. 

What are synonyms and antonyms for the word inherently?

There are many different words that one can choose to use in place of the word inherently. These are called synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same meaning as another given word or phrase. Synonyms are a great way to expand your vocabulary and to avoid repeating yourself in spoken or written English. This list of synonyms for the word inherently is provided by Thesaurus.

  •  genuinely
  •  congenitally
  •  but of course
  •  ordinarily
  •  inseparably
  •  artlessly
  •  instinctively
  •  openly
  •  spontaneously
  •  unpretentiously
  •  immanently
  •  impulsively
  •  normally
  •  readily
  •  easily
  •  characteristically
  •  unaffectedly
  •  intrinsically
  •  genetically
  •  natively
  •  by nature
  •  usually
  •  informally
  •  generally
  •  naturally
  •  by birth
  •  habitually
  •  innately
  •  typically
  •  candidly
  •  innocently
  •  simply
  •  uniformly
  •  casually
  •  freely
  •  commonly
  •  customarily
  •  consistently
  •  constitutionally

Are also many different words that mean the opposite of the word inherently. These opposite words are called antonyms. Learning antonyms is another quick and easy way to expand your English language vocabulary. This list of antonyms for the word inherently is also provided by Thesaurus

  •  overseas
  •  adopted
  •  expatriate
  •  transoceanic
  •  extrinsic
  •  alien
  •  estranged
  •  extraneous
  •  strange
  •  barbaric
  •  foreign
  •  outside
  •  derived
  •  not domestic
  •  from abroad
  •  external
  •  unaccustomed
  •  offshore
  •  faraway
  •  different
  •  exotic
  •  nonnative
  •  antipodal
  •  exiled
  •  barbarian
  •  inaccessible
  •  immigrant
  •  not native
  •  far
  •  unexplored
  •  imported
  •  distant
  •  borrowed
  •  alienated
  •  far-off
  •  outlandish
  •  nonresident
  •  unfamiliar
  •  extralocal
  •  unknown
  •  remote
  •  far-fetched

Overall, the word inherently means intrinsically or naturally. This word refers to something that comes easily to a person or belongs to something by nature or habit. Try using this word of the day in a sentence today. You never know, it could become one of your new favorite words to use. 

Sources: 

  1. inherently: meaning, origin, translation | Word Sense 
  2. INHERENTLY Synonyms: 9 Synonyms & Antonyms for INHERENTLY | Thesaurus 
  3. FOREIGN Synonyms: 74 Synonyms & Antonyms for FOREIGN | Thesaurus 
  4. inherent | Origin and meaning of inherent | Online Etymology Dictionary 
  5. Inherent | Definition of Inherent | Merriam-Webster English Dictionary