as in tendency
a usually innate ability or desire to perform a specific activity
Pouncing on mice is a cat's natural instinct. We needed all of our survival instincts to make it through the weeks lost at sea.
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Recent Examples of instinct
At the same time, partisan media ecosystems reinforce voters’ instincts.
—
Brandon Rottinghaus, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
McDaniel had the opposite instinct.
—Lila Shapiro, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2026
But those instincts are correct on the pitching side – the Cubs don’t have a lot of young arms to offer in trade negotiations besides Wiggins and Horton, who’s essentially untouchable.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
When in doubt, trust your instincts.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instinct
Brandon Rottinghaus, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
McDaniel had the opposite instinct.
—Lila Shapiro, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2026
But those instincts are correct on the pitching side – the Cubs don’t have a lot of young arms to offer in trade negotiations besides Wiggins and Horton, who’s essentially untouchable.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
When in doubt, trust your instincts.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinct
Noun
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In addition, the association said teens who use social media most frequently report suffering from poor mental health at higher rates, including a greater tendency to think about suicide or self-harm.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
13 Jan. 2026
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Laura is suspicious about Cherry's mysterious past, while Cherry is worried about Laura's manipulative tendencies.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And the steepest declines in reading skills among adults can be found among 20-somethings.—
Ryan Craig,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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In a content culture where authenticity is queen, the SGG’s nature and manipulation skill let her play-act authenticity with the best of them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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What Analysts Are Saying Despite the average analyst inclination towards the status quo or pessimistic scenarios, the $29 average price target masks mixed views.—
Peter Cohan,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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The trick is to select a paint color that is calming and neutral enough so as not to be too visually demanding, while also speaking to your personal style and color inclinations.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The chip changes these light signals into small electrical impulses.—
William A. Haseltine,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
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And this impulse is understandable.—
Haley Ott,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Desserts, salads, chicken, roasted potatoes…what can’t be improved by the yellow fruit’s sunny disposition?—
Maggie Meyer Glisan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
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Recall that a year prior to Wardlaw passing her hot check, criminal court records confirm her guilty disposition for the crime of skipping out on a wholly different criminal-court appearance, which is a class C misdemeanor.—
Robert Steinbuch,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinct. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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