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
That instinct—to layer rather than pare back—extends beyond soft furnishings to the home’s harder-working spaces.
—
Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 13 Feb. 2026
But to be able to bring in a young, exciting player that plays all over the diamond, a strong defender, an elite defender, elite baserunner (who) can make contact … very strong instincts for the game.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2026
The questions multiplied, each driven by the same instinct to protect and survive.
—Adrianne Wright, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
The maximalism and somewhat uncompromising presumption of a newspaper, with its warren of sections and columns and byways, is a quiet reproach to its audience’s most parochial instincts.
—Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instinct
Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 13 Feb. 2026
But to be able to bring in a young, exciting player that plays all over the diamond, a strong defender, an elite defender, elite baserunner (who) can make contact … very strong instincts for the game.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2026
The questions multiplied, each driven by the same instinct to protect and survive.
—Adrianne Wright, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
The maximalism and somewhat uncompromising presumption of a newspaper, with its warren of sections and columns and byways, is a quiet reproach to its audience’s most parochial instincts.
—Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinct
Noun
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Corruption scandals have brought down several people in Zelensky’s inner circle, including his former business partner Timur Mindich and his long-time right-hand man Andriy Yermak, leading some observers to question whether Zelensky had a tendency to over-rely on tainted allies.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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Releasing that control can soften the tendency to internalize life’s unpredictability as a personal failure, Jacobsen says—and also weaken the power that anxiety in your 30s holds over you.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Many attribute his sticking power to his skills as a political operator, which, alongside his inspirational speeches, have earned him comparisons with Winston Churchill.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Byer, who’s received an Emmy nomination for her hosting skills and is an alumna of the Upright Citizens Brigade, will tape a special this weekend at the Den Theatre.—
Jennifer Day,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Babcock shows no signs, or inclination, of slowing.—
Brad Townsend,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
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The simulations also show that Chrysalis would have perturbed Iapetus's orbit, leading to its high inclination.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This creates a jarring effect as the significance of her busy endeavours is sublimated by the perverted impulse to judge her physical form.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
16 Feb. 2026
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This is when environmental cues that remind us of the reward trigger the impulse to seek it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
If so, provide details and disposition.—
Delores Rangel,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
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The 132-pound freshman wrestler has an even-keel disposition which combines with a wherewithal to realize that his early accomplishments have put him well ahead of schedule.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinct. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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