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 The instinct in most growth-stage businesses is to chase awareness. — Sophie Attwood, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 The traumatic birth sent Marris’ protective instincts into overdrive. — CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026 Even behind the anchor desk, Rather’s inquisitive manner and reporter’s instincts for confrontation were well known. — Walter Podrazik, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026 Libra Editing your wardrobe or personal environment is the perfect outlet for your aesthetic instincts right now. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for instinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinct
  1. tendency
  2. skill
  3. inclination
  4. impulse
  5. disposition
Noun
  • Or perhaps the increase reflects an institutional tendency toward over-enforcement.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • This combines the annual seasonal pattern, the four-year election cycle and the decadal tendencies (years that end in 6).
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of tendency
Noun
  • In the show, eight celebrity city dwellers with almost no survival skills are dropped into a remote natural environment for 18 days.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Slam Frank’s provocations, however, are leavened by Fox’s genuine skill with and respect for musical theater.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of skill
Noun
  • OpenAI’s closest rival, Anthropic, has shown no inclination to delay its own IPO, which is expected sometime before year’s end.
    — Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • And a lot of the time, people who have these kinds of inclinations towards children are people who were children who were abused themselves.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of inclination
Noun
  • The impulses and outcomes of police work follow a choreographic sensibility as well.
    — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The great revelation of the exhibition is Jafa’s early work, which begins the impulse toward horror seen throughout his more recent work.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of impulse
Noun
  • The bird was also known for its disposition, especially toward men.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The company has opened two facilities and upgraded others to expand throughput, while investing in a visibility platform that gives customers the information needed to streamline disposition decisions.
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of disposition

Browse Nearby Words

instills
instinct
instinctive
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinct. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on instinct

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about instinct

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