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
In wartime, the instinct to hold the line is understandable.
—
Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
Trusting your instincts and calling for help can make all the difference in a breathing emergency.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 14 Oct. 2025
Advertisement That instinct hardened under President Richard Nixon’s war on drugs.
—Josiah Bates, Time, 14 Oct. 2025
While most viral infections in children are mild and self-limited, parents should always trust their instincts and reach out to their doctor if something feels off.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instinct
Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
Trusting your instincts and calling for help can make all the difference in a breathing emergency.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 14 Oct. 2025
Advertisement That instinct hardened under President Richard Nixon’s war on drugs.
—Josiah Bates, Time, 14 Oct. 2025
While most viral infections in children are mild and self-limited, parents should always trust their instincts and reach out to their doctor if something feels off.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinct
Noun
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King said he was inspired in part by Rader’s arrest, more specifically, by his ability to keep his murderous tendencies completely unknown to the rest of his family.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
11 Oct. 2025
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The Patriots defensive staff sifts through all kinds of data while scripting a game plan, from traditional player scouting reports, scheme tendencies, statistical analyses and film findings of their own.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Following her departure from the New York Times in 2020, Weiss sought out a market for her television skills without success.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
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During interview rounds when applicants showcase their skills through mini projects or tests, the executive values prospective hires who enhance their assignments with the tools.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
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As Tuchel attested, England’s inclination to regain possession was as impressive as their work on the ball.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
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But Iapetus’s inclination and equatorial ridge — which is more continuous on the Saturn-facing side — remain mysterious.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There are three competing impulses from three capitals.—
Happymon Jacob,
Time,
16 Oct. 2025
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Hawke sells all of Hart’s delusions, destructive impulses, and high-velocity downward spirals with an energy that keeps this bitchy, old-school collection of bon mots and screwball bickering moving along nicely.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Your disposition and attitude is an inspiration.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
8 Oct. 2025
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Despite his perverse and jock-like disposition, he is known to be a talented and knowledgeable surgeon.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinct. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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