Synonyms of instinct

instinct

noun

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.

Related Words

• tendency
• skill
• inclination
• impulse
• disposition
• predisposition
• propensity
• predilection
• affinity
• bias
• penchant
• urge
• capability
• proclivity
• need
• partiality
• turn
• drive
• competence
• habitude
• power
• proficiency
• facility
• capacity
• potential
• leaning
• faculty
• talent
• aptitude
• specialty
• gift
• knack
• genius
• endowment
• flair
• forte
• speciality
• specialism
• bent
• head

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of instinct

In trusting that instinct to stay true to herself, Karol found even more success. — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2026

The instinct is to centralize AI in the cloud, where the big models live. — Peter Kellis, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Though The Lizzie Borden Story positions her as Lizzie’s feminist Virgil, Bridget’s first instinct is to kill the Bordens with poison, which was then considered to be the feminine murder weapon. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

The point of the story is that people don’t make logical decisions; their rational minds are constantly in tension with their baser instincts. — Isaac Arnsdorf, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026