killer instinct
noun
: an aggressive tenacious urge for domination in a struggle to attain a set goal
Examples of killer instinct in a Sentence
Her killer instincts have helped her become one of the top tennis players in the world.
Recent Examples on the Web
The entrepreneur and lifestyle icon has built a career out of creating and celebrating beautiful things, but a killer instinct for business is why her career has far outpaced the men’s around her.
—
Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Mar. 2026
During the third, his killer instinct shifted focus.
—Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
UConn is 22-1, has won 18 in a row, is 7-0 in true road games, ranked third in the nation, and the coach is no longer lamenting a lack of killer instinct, but showing the lack of respect card.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
Savinho, who Guardiola said on Wednesday could miss up to two months with injury, and Oscar Bobb do not quite have the killer instinct in the final third yet, either.
—Sam Lee, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for killer instinct
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Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Mar. 2026
During the third, his killer instinct shifted focus.
—Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
UConn is 22-1, has won 18 in a row, is 7-0 in true road games, ranked third in the nation, and the coach is no longer lamenting a lack of killer instinct, but showing the lack of respect card.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
Savinho, who Guardiola said on Wednesday could miss up to two months with injury, and Oscar Bobb do not quite have the killer instinct in the final third yet, either.
—Sam Lee, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for killer instinct
Cite this Entry
“Killer instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/killer%20instinct. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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