How to Use killer instinct in a Sentence

killer instinct

noun
  • Her killer instincts have helped her become one of the top tennis players in the world.
  • With that said, the Bucks have lacked a killer instinct all playoffs long.
    — Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 20 July 2021
  • With that said, the Bucks have lacked a killer instinct all playoffs long.
    — Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 20 July 2021
  • With that said, the Bucks have lacked a killer instinct all playoffs long.
    — Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 20 July 2021
  • With that said, the Bucks have lacked a killer instinct all playoffs long.
    — Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 20 July 2021
  • With that said, the Bucks have lacked a killer instinct all playoffs long.
    — Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 20 July 2021
  • With that said, the Bucks have lacked a killer instinct all playoffs long.
    — Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 20 July 2021
  • With that said, the Bucks have lacked a killer instinct all playoffs long.
    — Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 20 July 2021
  • With that said, the Bucks have lacked a killer instinct all playoffs long.
    — Mike Hart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 19 July 2021
  • With that said, the Bucks have lacked a killer instinct all playoffs long.
    — Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 20 July 2021
  • The killer instinct of this team, maybe for lack of a better term, has been missing for the last few years.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2019
  • With the ball moving and the team in sync, Davis showcased her killer instinct when given the chance to strike.
    — Timothy Dashiell, Baltimore Sun, 13 Sep. 2023
  • If anything, that just shows that Lonzo has the killer instinct to survive in the NBA.
    — Jack Moore, GQ, 13 Dec. 2017
  • While that’s lofty praise, there is much to love about Edwards’ killer instinct.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 May 2024
  • And Carolina has lacked the killer instinct when playing with a lead.
    — Joseph Person, charlotteobserver, 15 Dec. 2017
  • Weight: 253 pounds Edmunds doesn't quite have Smith's killer instinct.
    — Peter Dawson, star-telegram, 13 Mar. 2018
  • Aaron Paul plays the guy who helps Sarah hone her killer instinct in a film about identity and fighting for one's life.
    — Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2022
  • Sahli said Rowdy also has the killer instinct, once even catching a bat.
    — Kate Selig, BostonGlobe.com, 16 July 2022
  • And perhaps a bit of driver skill (killer instinct) on Norris’ part.
    — Rob Reed, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024
  • The third-year forward also has a confidence and a killer instinct that made him a favorite of Kobe Bryant.
    — Tania Ganguli, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2019
  • And the timing showed a killer instinct, perhaps a player sensing the moment.
    — Graham Couch, Detroit Free Press, 16 Mar. 2018
  • And each has a killer instinct that plays well in individual play and team play.
    — Steve Dimeglio, USA TODAY, 28 Sep. 2017
  • What makes Sam the Evolved Final Girl is precisely her killer instinct.
    — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2023
  • Until the Rangers acquire a killer instinct and a desire to crush their opponents no cup is going to be at the end of the rainbow.
    — Arthur Staple, The Athletic, 8 Feb. 2025
  • But that killer instinct has been lacking this year, both for Jackson and Baltimore as a whole.
    — Mike Jones, USA TODAY, 24 Nov. 2020
  • Today was yet more proof that United too lack a chief creator, as well as a forward with a killer instinct.
    — SI.com, 14 Sep. 2019
  • Whiteside is one of those players who has all the physical gifts, but lacks the killer instinct that will separate him from the pack.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun-Sentinel.com, 13 Dec. 2017
  • In 2007, Kushner’s killer instinct told him that the real-estate market had nowhere to go but up.
    — Eric Levitz, Daily Intelligencer, 20 Feb. 2018
  • Norris is a one-lap specialist who struggles with starts and lacks the killer instinct to challenge Verstappen.
    — Rob Reed, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The slick shooting, killer instinct, and trash talk combined to create the greatest scorer in WNBA history.
    — Zach Harper, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'killer instinct.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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