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 There is an instinct to make sure that people realize that that isn’t your plan. — Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Boasting a devastating, quick attacking unit in Cole Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro, Chelsea’s instinct has been to sit back and invite opponents forward, creating gaps to exploit on the counter. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026 Michael Douglas' basic instincts kicked in at the right time and right place. — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 There, the nationalist instincts driving Rubio’s speech found more vociferous expression. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 14 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
  • For Guimaraes, a veteran community builder, the impulse behind Fashion Forward was born out of a sharp realization that the industry’s greatest bottleneck was its tendency to preach to its own choir.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The project places her among a wave of next-gen electronic artists like Ninajirachi, 2hollis and Jane Remover, all of whom are currently making left of center dance music with strong pop tendencies.
    — Katie Bain, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of tendency
Noun
  • The students who stepped forward when their teacher collapsed playing basketball in Michigan illustrate what becomes possible when CPR skills are taught before they are needed.
    — Meng Yang, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Cheung said professionalism, patience and strong communication skills are particularly important for applicants, as is the ability to offer constructive criticism to students.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of skill
Noun
  • At Roberto Cavalli, makeup artist Yadim had the same inclination for highly pigmented metallic shades, a choice that punctuated key looks also at Jil Sander.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of inclination
Noun
  • Helen’s initial impulse is to keep Pablo confined to her room.
    — Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The answers to these questions could ultimately help shape a larger debate about humanity’s extraterrestrial future—and whether the impulse to make other worlds more like our own should be tempered by any obligation to leave them undisturbed.
    — Lee Billings, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of impulse
Noun
  • On Wednesday, his office did not respond to a request for comment on his disposition toward the measure.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The probe found no criminal wrongdoing, at which point Spitzer shifted to negotiating towards a civil disposition with GKN and announced the claims program.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 13 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 19 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about instinct

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