as in overambitiousness
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of killer instinct
Under head coach Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles has found its killer instinct and will try to implement it here.
—
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Other than that, the skills required — steely nerves, killer instincts, ruthless ambition — are remarkably similar.
—Benjamin Svetkey, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
The carnage is truly next-level, including one infamous scene in which Joey wades through a literal pool of bloody, rotting dead bodies—all victims of Abigail's ferocious killer instincts.
—Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
However, some cats lack the killer instincts typical of predators.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for killer instinct 
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Other than that, the skills required — steely nerves, killer instincts, ruthless ambition — are remarkably similar.
—Benjamin Svetkey, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
The carnage is truly next-level, including one infamous scene in which Joey wades through a literal pool of bloody, rotting dead bodies—all victims of Abigail's ferocious killer instincts.
—Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
However, some cats lack the killer instincts typical of predators.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for killer instinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for killer instinct
Noun
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Both allow for plenty of flexibility to customize for personal tastes, what’s in season, and what looks fresh. 6-to-1: To have enough for up to six full meals, shop for six vegetables, five fruits, four proteins, three starches, two sauces or spreads, and one fun item.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Feb. 2025
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Supports Balanced Blood Sugar Levels The fermentation process used to make sourdough produces organic acids, such as lactic and acetic acids, which help slow the absorption of starch in the digestive tract.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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If going solo is risky, launching your own label as an unknown requires an even bigger leap of faith—along with either a willing suspension of disbelief or an amazing amount of true grit.—
Nicole Phelps,
Vogue,
6 Feb. 2025
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Stylists who make it in New York City often are the human embodiment of the term grit.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Forever proud of her Irish heritage that provided her with spunk and beauty.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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Socorro’s social nature, her spunk and her adaptability were likely rooted in her early childhood experiences tagging along with her father to bullfights and bars.—
Erica Zora Wrightson,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The only ones showed any gumption were the two women (Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska).—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Feb. 2025
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The first requires precision and consistency; the second, gumption and a dash of luck.—
Derrik Klassen,
The Athletic,
8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The opening acoustic guitar plucks get reasonable low-mid resonance and sound reasonably full while conveying string texture in the higher frequencies.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
27 Jan. 2025
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So when her bogus application is accepted into NASA’s super competitive astronaut training program, Rex needs luck and plenty of pluck to avoid elimination.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
2 July 2024
Noun
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So 7,500 of the books went to the Concord Library, and there’s this room now there that helped to buoy my spirits, knowing that was happening.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2025
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On the heels of her 101st birthday, a Beverly Hills residence with ties to the businesswoman and creative spirit has splashed onto the market for $16.5 million.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The president putting the entire Department of Education on the chopping block after roughly 100 employees who work on DEI initiatives were placed on leave last week.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Feb. 2025
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One such claim occurred on Tuesday, when White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized USAID for funding DEI initiatives abroad, including $1.5 million for workplace programs in Serbia, $70,000 for a DEI musical in Ireland, and $32,000 for a transgender comic book in Peru.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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At first glance, tariffs appear to boost US self-reliance on critical minerals and reduce dependence on foreign imports, generating energy sovereignty and incentivizing the return of production back home.—
Michaela Rychetska and Aissa Dearing,
JSTOR Daily,
13 Feb. 2025
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Wandering through an unfamiliar city increases self-reliance.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near killer instinct
Cite this Entry
“Killer instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killer%20instinct. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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