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
Mercury is activating your subconscious mind, so your gut instincts are on point — good luck explaining why to anyone else!
—
Valerie Mesa, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025
This is a very rare crime, and the fact that two women on the row had been convicted of it felt like a dark confirmation of the power of the maternal instinct.
—Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
For now, the best advice is probably to follow your instincts.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 9 Feb. 2025
The instinct is to say that lots of teams pass out from the back and fewer are hitting long balls, which is borne out in the statistics.
—Nick Miller, The Athletic, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instinct
Valerie Mesa, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025
This is a very rare crime, and the fact that two women on the row had been convicted of it felt like a dark confirmation of the power of the maternal instinct.
—Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
For now, the best advice is probably to follow your instincts.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 9 Feb. 2025
The instinct is to say that lots of teams pass out from the back and fewer are hitting long balls, which is borne out in the statistics.
—Nick Miller, The Athletic, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinct
Noun
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Beyond The Basics Successful investing requires mastering behavioral tendencies, and effective retirement planning demands a clear view of your financial reality.—
Wayne Anderman,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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And so, your natural tendency to believe that everyone is operating in good faith takes a real beating.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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As for the love story at the heart of things, real-life singer-songwriters Koerner and Varga, both making their movie debuts, inhabit their roles with unpolished sincerity, if not technical skill.—
Joe Leydon,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2025
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Additionally, Apple plans to double its U.S. Advanced Manufacturing Fund to $10 billion, focusing on advanced manufacturing techniques and skill development nationwide.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Regardless of one’s political affiliation or inclinations, now is the time to institutionalize sweeping changes in public management.—
Jerry Haar,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Feb. 2025
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The vast majority of this content is just a few taps of a remote control away on Paramount+, but that doesn't mean everyone has the time — or the inclination — to work through key episodes, just to fill in some gaps in a character's backstory.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
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While there are clearly still secrets between them, knowing that Red is her father initially allowed Liz to give into some of the darker impulses embedded in her DNA, much to the audience's delight.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
19 Feb. 2025
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Therefore, our first impulse when challenged is about survival—physically and emotionally.—
Hylke Faber,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The Court's January 7, 2025 order granting preliminary relief is STAYED pending the disposition of the appeal.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes,
22 Feb. 2025
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Pending the preparation and disposition of charges, the governor may suspend the mayor for a period not exceeding 30 days.—
John Bacon,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to instinct
Cite this Entry
“Instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinct. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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