instinct

noun

Definition of instinctnext
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of instinct But Abney’s instincts and fearless makeup were always going to leave an impact on this staff. — Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Werner is a gifted cinephile with extraordinary instincts for what smart arthouse audiences would embrace. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026 Planners, drivers, dispatchers, and operations managers all develop workflows and instincts over years of experience. — George Ninikas, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026 Innate instinct became part of what made Guy one of the most distinctive individuals to ever pick up an electric guitar. — Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for instinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinct
  1. tendency
  2. skill
  3. inclination
  4. impulse
  5. disposition
Noun
  • Career Fit Is a Business Issue There is a persistent tendency in the legal profession to interpret difficulty in a role as a personal shortcoming.
    — Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The National Association of Theatre Owners changed its name last year to Cinema United, which is more aspirational than descriptive, as Aron — a board member — has a tendency to go his own way.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of tendency
Noun
  • The partnership is also framed as a skills exchange, giving Indonesian creative talent exposure to ReelShort’s production pipeline.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The company has had a decades-long presence in the country and invested billions in AI infrastructure and related skills training in Brazil, the leading economy in Latin America.
    — Charlotte Hu, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of skill
Noun
  • Collectively, that inclination could lead to bills soaring ever higher.
    — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • But analysts at the time cautioned that Beijing had neither the capability nor inclination to pressure either side into negotiating.
    — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of inclination
Noun
  • The significance of that approach lies in what happens when leaders resist the impulse to demonstrate their expertise.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Initially, diplomats assigned to the region sought to counter Bukele’s growing influence by sharply denouncing his anti-democratic impulses.
    — Daniel Castro, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of impulse
Noun
  • With a steely disposition, Dikha is seen in the videos standing at the very front of a thin boat, executing a repetitive series of dance moves as a line of rowers propel them through a river.
    — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The office recently concluded its criminal investigation into GKN and is now negotiating a civil disposition with the company.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of disposition

Browse Nearby Words

instills
instinct
instinctive
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Cite this Entry

“Instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinct. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on instinct

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about instinct

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