Learn about the best words to describe the INTP personality type
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How do other people see and describe INTPs?
Of all the introverted types, INTPs tend to be the least agreeable or the most demanding, which can overshadow how others perceive them. At best, they may be seen as curt, terse, or forceful, but their reluctance to sugarcoat their words can lead them to appear impolite, rude, harsh, or even disrespectful.
The wordcloud below shows over 50 words used to describe INTPs. Bigger words describe the more prominent aspects of INTPs.
Adjectives used to describe INTPs
Many people may actively avoid interpersonal conflicts and arguments, but INTPs feel comfortable in these otherwise uncomfortable situations. Their willingness to get to the bottom of things, even if it means hurting some feelings, can come off as combative, antagonistic, insensitive, and quarrelsome.
INTPs’ high introversion also means they tend to express fewer positive emotions and less enthusiasm in social situations. To others, they may seem cynical, joyless, glum, or detached.
If you believe you are an INTP but think the above description is unfair, remember that no two INTPs are alike. Personality types are an overly simplistic way to describe a single individual, and nobody fits neatly into any type. You can see your personality’s own unique set of words with TraitLab’s free Personality Wordcloud tool.
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20 adjectives for describing the INTP personality type
Below are the definitions (credit: wiktionary.org) of 20 adjectives that are usually good descriptions of the INTP personality type.
cynical: Skeptical of the integrity, sincerity, or motives of others
skeptical: Having, or expressing doubt; questioning
detached: Having or showing no bias or emotional involvement; disinterested; not influenced by anyone else
aloof: Reserved and remote; either physically or emotionally distant; standoffish
individualistic: More interested in individual people than in society as a whole; Having idiosyncratic behaviour or ideas
insensitive: Expressing or feeling little or no concern, care, compassion, or consideration for the feelings, emotions, sentiments, or concerns of other people; inconsiderate or incompassionate
demanding: Requiring hard work, endurance, or patience from others
inner-directed: Tending to follow one’s own rules rather than those of society
unemotional: Reasoned and objective, involving reason or intellect rather than feelings
introspective: Examining one’s own perceptions and sensory experiences; contemplative or thoughtful about oneself
unconventional: Not adhering to convention or accepted standards
curt: Brief or terse, especially to the point of being rude
untalkative: unwilling to talk; taciturn; refusing to speak
guarded: Cautious; restrained
meditative: Thoughtful; pensive
contemplative: Inclined to contemplate; introspective and thoughtful; meditative
secretive: Having an inclination to secrecy
deliberate: Weighing facts and arguments with a view to a choice or decision; carefully considering the probable consequences of a step; slow in determining
eccentric: Deviating from the norm; behaving unexpectedly or differently; unconventional and slightly strange
indirect: Not direct; Not involving the quickest, shortest, or most convenient path
