inherent, intrinsic

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Richard Ilomaki asked about the different, if any, between inherent and intrinsic. They are synonyms, and M-W offers intrinsic as a link to inherent. Differ, from what I can discover, in their usage. If anyone has further information, have at.

-- Randal (randal@rhyme.cjb.net), November 22, 2001

Answers

In meaning, inherent and intrinsic are synonyms. However, in usage, intrinsic presents the value of having an antonym, extrinisic, so if you wish to make a contrast between an item's intrinisic and extrinisic qualities, it becomes simpler to use that word pair than to use a clumsier word pairing.

-- Little Nipper (canis@minor.net), November 24, 2001.

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