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 Using her killer instincts and good-willed teacher power to prevent traumatizing her tots, Caroline and Dave try to protect the youngsters from being zombie dinner and guide them all to safety. —

Rendy Jones, EW.com, 16 July 2024 Mitchell keeps her kindness and killer instinct grippingly in balance. —

David Benedict, Variety, 6 July 2024 While that’s lofty praise, there is much to love about Edwards’ killer instinct. —

Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 May 2024 Liberals will see it as a stomach-churning making-of-a-monster account while the MAGA faithful might conceivably misconstrue it as an endorsement of their guy, who has made the killer instinct his brand. —

David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for killer instinct

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'killer 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

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of killer instinct was in 1931

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Killer instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/killer%20instinct. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.

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