in·stinct
ˈin-ˌstiŋ(k)t 
1
: a natural or inherent aptitude, impulse, or capacity
had an instinct for the right word
2
a
: a largely inheritable and unalterable tendency of an organism to make a complex and specific response to environmental stimuli without involving reason
b
: behavior that is mediated by reactions below the conscious level
instinctually
adverb
in·stinct
in-ˈstiŋ(k)t
ˈin-ˌstiŋ(k)t
ˈin-ˌstiŋ(k)t
1
: profoundly imbued : infused
my mood, instinct with romance—
S. J. Perelman
S. J. Perelman2
obsolete
: impelled by an inner or animating or exciting agency
Examples of instinct in a Sentence
Noun
Our first instinct was to run.
Cats possess a natural hunting instinct.
Seeing the baby aroused all her maternal instincts.
He has been guided throughout his career by his political instincts.
Mere instinct alerted her to the danger.
He knew by instinct what not to say.
She seemed to know by instinct that something was wrong.
He has a strong survival instinct.
an athlete with good instincts
Recent Examples on the WebEddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024
Colette, though, acting on instinct more than habit, was insistent.
—Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 11 Apr. 2024
Over his years undercover, these competing instincts have turned the Captain into something of an ideal narrator, a truly neutral party who absorbs and reflects the worldviews of those around him.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024
By turning Abiy’s Ethiopia into a client state, however, the UAE has helped feed the prime minister’s worst instincts.
—Alex De Waal, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2024
But Cuban, then a rising tech entrepreneur and now an executive producer on the documentary, cites it as an example of Willis' visionary instincts.
—Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 7 Apr. 2024
These scraps are Winston’s yearnings, memories, sensual instincts, which have, as yet, somehow gone unmurdered by the regime.
—Stephen Metcalf, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2024
But Besson wants off the leash and his instincts lead him astray.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024
My instinct is that this is yet one more sacrifice you are expected to make as her maid of honor.
—Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2024
Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024
However, there’s still something to be said for what that gut feeling, instinct, or intuition can tell you.
—Rhett Power, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024
Kelce said being on the same wavelength with his quarterback was borne of work and practice reps which over time became instinct.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2024
So with nothing to go on but instinct, Mom ended up sending us a beautiful, handmade, heirloom-quality [thingy].
—Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 27 Dec. 2023
In the early days of hedge funds, so much trading was based on whim, instinct, and vaguely divinatory practices like tape reading, so called after the ticker tape used to transmit trades via telegraph.
—Tarpley Hitt, The New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2023
Vocal learning is the ability to produce new sounds by imitating others, relying on experience rather than instinct.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Popular Science, 14 Sep. 2023
That’s pretty common, particularly among great coaches and their players, that there is a paternal, fatherly instinct.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 20 Aug. 2023
Annalise Caron, a clinical psychologist who runs an initiative dedicated to parenting, understands the instinct parents have to seek community.
—Fortesa Latifi, Washington Post, 11 May 2023
Noun
Elite instincts, work ethic and processing ability almost always puts the two-time team captain in a position to make a play.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024
Colette, though, acting on instinct more than habit, was insistent.
—Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 11 Apr. 2024
Over his years undercover, these competing instincts have turned the Captain into something of an ideal narrator, a truly neutral party who absorbs and reflects the worldviews of those around him.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024
By turning Abiy’s Ethiopia into a client state, however, the UAE has helped feed the prime minister’s worst instincts.
—Alex De Waal, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2024
But Cuban, then a rising tech entrepreneur and now an executive producer on the documentary, cites it as an example of Willis' visionary instincts.
—Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 7 Apr. 2024
These scraps are Winston’s yearnings, memories, sensual instincts, which have, as yet, somehow gone unmurdered by the regime.
—Stephen Metcalf, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2024
But Besson wants off the leash and his instincts lead him astray.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024
My instinct is that this is yet one more sacrifice you are expected to make as her maid of honor.
—Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Weber had taken a CPR course in high school, and somehow instinct took over.
—Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024
However, there’s still something to be said for what that gut feeling, instinct, or intuition can tell you.
—Rhett Power, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024
Kelce said being on the same wavelength with his quarterback was borne of work and practice reps which over time became instinct.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2024
So with nothing to go on but instinct, Mom ended up sending us a beautiful, handmade, heirloom-quality [thingy].
—Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 27 Dec. 2023
In the early days of hedge funds, so much trading was based on whim, instinct, and vaguely divinatory practices like tape reading, so called after the ticker tape used to transmit trades via telegraph.
—Tarpley Hitt, The New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2023
Vocal learning is the ability to produce new sounds by imitating others, relying on experience rather than instinct.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Popular Science, 14 Sep. 2023
That’s pretty common, particularly among great coaches and their players, that there is a paternal, fatherly instinct.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 20 Aug. 2023
Annalise Caron, a clinical psychologist who runs an initiative dedicated to parenting, understands the instinct parents have to seek community.
—Fortesa Latifi, Washington Post, 11 May 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'instinct.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Latin instinctus impulse, from instinguere to incite; akin to Latin instigare to instigate
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
1667, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Time Traveler
The first known use of instinct was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing instinct
Articles Related to instinct
Dictionary Entries Near instinct
Cite this Entry
“Instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instinct. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
instinct
noun
in·stinct
ˈin-ˌstiŋ(k)t
1
: a natural ability or inclination
2
a
: an act or course of action in response to a stimulus that is usually inherited and is automatic rather than learned
b
: behavior that is based on automatic actions
Medical Definition
instinct
noun
in·stinct
ˈin-ˌstiŋ(k)t
1
: a largely inheritable and unalterable tendency of an organism to make a complex and specific response to environmental stimuli without involving reason
2
: behavior that is mediated by reactions below the conscious level
More from Merriam-Webster on instinct
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for instinct
Nglish: Translation of instinct for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of instinct for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about instinct
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