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 killer instinct in Murray appears to be raging in the dying light as the prospect of family life and a move away from the back-breaking practice ground looms large.
—
Tim Ellis, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Streaming: SiriusXM Channels 196 and 958, Varsity Network, Fubo, Sling
Purdue basketball news
How to watch:No. 1 Purdue basketball vs. No. 8 Illinois TV, radio, streaming for Big Ten matchup
Boilermakers win:Does Purdue basketball have killer instinct?
—Evan Frank, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Jan. 2024
Led by quarterback Brock Purdy, whose altar boy looks belie his killer instinct on the field, the 49ers are anything but unexpected participants in this, the biggest of big games.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2024
Sam is intent on curbing his killer instincts, chaining Alan to the floor of his basement and forcing him to conduct therapy sessions while detained.
—Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 4 Aug. 2023
With the ball moving and the team in sync, Davis showcased her killer instinct when given the chance to strike.
—Timothy Dashiell, Baltimore Sun, 13 Sep. 2023
Still, how McCarthy handled that situation was consistent of a coach working to develop a killer instinct from his football team.
—Michael Gehlken, Dallas News, 11 Sep. 2023
Read More: What to Know About the U.S. Soccer Team in the 2023 Women's World Cup
What’s killer instinct in one moment counts as tunnel vision in the next.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 27 July 2023
Don’t tell Billy Joe Saunders either that Alvarez doesn’t have a killer instinct.
—Abraham Nudelstejer, Dallas News, 7 May 2023
Tim Ellis, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Streaming: SiriusXM Channels 196 and 958, Varsity Network, Fubo, Sling
Purdue basketball news
How to watch:No. 1 Purdue basketball vs. No. 8 Illinois TV, radio, streaming for Big Ten matchup
Boilermakers win:Does Purdue basketball have killer instinct?
—Evan Frank, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Jan. 2024
Led by quarterback Brock Purdy, whose altar boy looks belie his killer instinct on the field, the 49ers are anything but unexpected participants in this, the biggest of big games.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2024
Sam is intent on curbing his killer instincts, chaining Alan to the floor of his basement and forcing him to conduct therapy sessions while detained.
—Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 4 Aug. 2023
With the ball moving and the team in sync, Davis showcased her killer instinct when given the chance to strike.
—Timothy Dashiell, Baltimore Sun, 13 Sep. 2023
Still, how McCarthy handled that situation was consistent of a coach working to develop a killer instinct from his football team.
—Michael Gehlken, Dallas News, 11 Sep. 2023
Read More: What to Know About the U.S. Soccer Team in the 2023 Women's World Cup
What’s killer instinct in one moment counts as tunnel vision in the next.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 27 July 2023
Don’t tell Billy Joe Saunders either that Alvarez doesn’t have a killer instinct.
—Abraham Nudelstejer, Dallas News, 7 May 2023
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.
Dictionary Entries Near killer instinct
Cite this Entry
“Killer instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/killer%20instinct. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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