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
The instinct to line up early often makes the problem worse, Henderson told USA Today.
—
Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 June 2026
While the instinct behind it is sound, the execution is where things tend to fall apart.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026
While your first instinct may be to help, young cubs (also known as kits) are often left unattended while their parents hunt for food, and intervening too quickly can sometimes do more harm than good.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 13 June 2026
Hughes was, by instinct, a low-key, consensus politician, not a bold trailblazer.
—George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for instinct
Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 June 2026
While the instinct behind it is sound, the execution is where things tend to fall apart.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026
While your first instinct may be to help, young cubs (also known as kits) are often left unattended while their parents hunt for food, and intervening too quickly can sometimes do more harm than good.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 13 June 2026
Hughes was, by instinct, a low-key, consensus politician, not a bold trailblazer.
—George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for instinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinct
Noun
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The young David displayed hypergraphic tendencies—the compulsive need to make a mark, to depict.—
Mark Rozzo,
Vanity Fair,
12 June 2026
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There is a tendency in retail to discuss scale in operational terms.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
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On this late May evening, the 15 men gathered there were contemplating tackling something few had previously had the courage or skill to take on.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
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Web developers and digital designers These workers build websites and apps, employing both coding and visual design skills.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
The 11 satellites on board are flying to a mid-inclination orbit.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 June 2026
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That was a statement signaling that even if the committee made no changes to interest rates, its inclination in the future would be to cut, rather than hike.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
Noun
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Whereas pain is a primary mode of these antithetical impulses, as are hate, fear, anger and shame.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
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Its hybrid analog-digital approach allows Alfa free rein to actualize his impulses, while the meditative atmosphere prompts reflection on where those impulses come from.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
16 June 2026
Noun
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After losing Saint Pepsi to trademark law, DeRobertis and future funk took diverging paths—the former towards nu-disco and synthpop, the latter towards a new artistic disposition made up of anime girls and neon colors.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
13 June 2026
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The fighters look more like themselves from a disposition standpoint.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinct. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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