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
Your instinct may be right, but delivery still matters.
—
Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2026
That was my insight, or more, my instinct, after interviewing Kenny Young, the CEO and seven-year veteran of Babcock & Wilcox , the 160-year-old boiler manufacturer turned engineering and construction company.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 17 May 2026
In fact, his instincts tell him to double down by expanding into DNA, the foundational molecule of all living organisms.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 17 May 2026
The true threat here isn’t found in gore or ghosts, but the instinct to consume while pretending to protect.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for instinct
Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2026
That was my insight, or more, my instinct, after interviewing Kenny Young, the CEO and seven-year veteran of Babcock & Wilcox , the 160-year-old boiler manufacturer turned engineering and construction company.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 17 May 2026
In fact, his instincts tell him to double down by expanding into DNA, the foundational molecule of all living organisms.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 17 May 2026
The true threat here isn’t found in gore or ghosts, but the instinct to consume while pretending to protect.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for instinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinct
Noun
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Despite the brand’s promise of sustainability, shoppers have been noticing fast-fashion tendencies for years.—
Ashley Fetters Maloy,
Washington Post,
22 May 2026
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In general, women tend to live longer and healthier lives than men for a variety of reasons, including greater health consciousness and a tendency to avoid risky behaviors, but also genetic and hormonal factors.—
Katharina Buchholz,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Noun
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But that trauma has passed, allowing Reilly to show off her riding skills in the new series.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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Soon after my arrival, our experienced local guide Jorge rolled out the big map and planned the perfect itinerary for our short stay, catering to our preferences and skill level.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, 57, or Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, 45, are both often mentioned as possible firm hands who could steer the party, though neither has shown much inclination to enter the fray this time round.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
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My inclination would be to say probably not.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Noun
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But Winifred also harbors a violent past and dark impulses, and a series of brutal happenings soon overtake the mansion.—
William Earl,
Variety,
20 May 2026
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There was a clever bit of trollery in Altman’s decision to hire as lead counsel the lawyer William Savitt, who had earlier forced Musk to follow through on his impulse to buy Twitter.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
20 May 2026
Noun
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Curiosity — the disposition to keep searching even when the AI has given you a good enough answer.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
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Just a month following the above meeting, the PHA outlined the process for the disposition of 9,000 permanent and semi-permanent demountable units, such as those in Azure Vista.—
Eric DuVall,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinct. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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