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.

Related Words

Relevance

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 Rice’s hiring makes for a compelling narrative about Netflix finding its way forward by relying on the instincts of an industry veteran known for effortlessly jumping between the film and TV worlds. — Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 23 Oct. 2026 It was also realized that having festive crowds enjoying the sight of a someone being killed was unseemly, exposing the base instincts that lie within us. — Dr. Michael Good, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026 February 19 – March 20 Your instincts are especially sharp today. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 Pisces February 19 – March 20 Your instincts are especially sharp today. — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 22 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
  • Rodney also framed the trend as a backlash against the past decade’s grind and her own generation’s infamous tendency to work themselves to the bone.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Shultz claims Holmes spotted Balwani’s abusive tendencies and clocked him as the perfect fall guy if things went south.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of tendency
Noun
  • During the interview with TBPN, Karp argued that AI is changing which skills and perspectives are valuable in the workplace.
    — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Netflix’s skills and training programs reached over 6,500 people in Korea between 2021 and 2025.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 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
  • Those impulses may have been shaped not by paranoia, but by evolution, as a way of staving off sickness in an uncertain world.
    — Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Pisces Moon trines Mercury in Scorpio, giving you a strong feel for which idea, subject, or creative impulse deserves more attention.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of impulse
Noun
  • As for finishing touches and accessories, Ortega sported a pair of strappy gold sandal heels, amplifying the sunny disposition of her attire, and wore a set of statement cocktail rings to boot.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Their commitment and disposition to become familiar with governing documents, ask informed questions, and work constructively with other directors are often more important than simply having strong opinions about community issues.
    — Gary M. Mars, Miami Herald, 19 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 26 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on instinct

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about instinct

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of disparate

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All