as in tendency
a usually innate ability or desire to perform a specific activity
Pouncing on mice is a cat's natural instinct. We needed all of our survival instincts to make it through the weeks lost at sea.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instinct
His political instinct isn’t wrong that Social Security is a good re-entry point: 73 million Social Security recipients are older and disabled, and even if the checks do get out this month, Republicans are on a collision course over funding the program.
—
Philip Elliott, Time, 16 Apr. 2025
Bowlers usually rely on instinct and experience, earned through lots and lots of practice, to boost their strike percentage.
—ArsTechnica, 15 Apr. 2025
Other teams will chase measurables at the position, but the Bills are all about instincts, high football IQ and ball skills.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Canada Vet explains that this fear is usually due to a mix of instincts, past experiences, and the felines' powerful personalities.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instinct
Philip Elliott, Time, 16 Apr. 2025
Bowlers usually rely on instinct and experience, earned through lots and lots of practice, to boost their strike percentage.
—ArsTechnica, 15 Apr. 2025
Other teams will chase measurables at the position, but the Bills are all about instincts, high football IQ and ball skills.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Canada Vet explains that this fear is usually due to a mix of instincts, past experiences, and the felines' powerful personalities.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinct
Noun
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According to Limon-Rocha, various life stressors—such as starting a new school, being bullied, losing a beloved pet, or having a family member with health issues—can all trigger perfectionist tendencies.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
17 Apr. 2025
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The tendency in the forecast has been for the front to set up across southeast portions of the Kansas City forecast area.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In each episode, the friends bring those skills together to overcome a new challenge as a team.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
14 Apr. 2025
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This translates into Jan having to collaborate with many versions of himself that have unique skills and far too many conflicting personalities defined by past events.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Stolarz’s inclination to shout instructions at teammates on the ice, often with serious levels of hostility in the name of competition, comes to him naturally.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
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Tariffs are designed for a combination of reasons, including protecting domestic markets; inviting foreign investment; and becoming more effective using capabilities, inclinations, and talents in other parts of the world.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Ultimately, though, Chelsea’s commitment to Rick and her hope for his peace are no match for Rick’s pain, and his impulses ignite a gunfight that catches Chelsea in its midst.—
Zoe Papelis,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2025
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So is the impulse to satisfy that urge through drugs.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Who lives and who dies depends on a slew of variable factors: Where they are tried, how skillful their attorneys are, the whims of prosecutors, quirks in the law, the dispositions of judges and jurors, and what victims want.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2025
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They would otherwise be returned to the family of the deceased person for final disposition.—
Kaitlin McCallum,
Hartford Courant,
19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinct. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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