as in tendencies
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 instincts
Mullin tried to soften the blow but seemed to acknowledge his likely move across town would need to bring with it some modifications from Noem’s instincts.
—
Philip Elliott, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
His views are too inconsistent, his instincts too fundamentally bellicose.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
And while abstraction can sometimes feel intimidating, Ahlberg Yohe says this show invites visitors to trust their instincts, focusing on connection and calm.
—Derek James, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
In New York, her instincts are similar.
—David Morris, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2026
At the same time, the new special marks a reining in of some of Fleming’s more experimental instincts.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2026
But it’s driven by the same instincts that make her other work seem to express something ineffable about the way musical subcultures fit into the world.
—H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 4 Mar. 2026
De Tocqueville observed that Americans carry two powerful, conflicting instincts.
—Scott Hamilton, STAT, 4 Mar. 2026
And the book that would revolutionize college football — and validate Fritz’s instincts — was still a year from coming into his life.
—Seth Emerson, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Philip Elliott, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
His views are too inconsistent, his instincts too fundamentally bellicose.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
And while abstraction can sometimes feel intimidating, Ahlberg Yohe says this show invites visitors to trust their instincts, focusing on connection and calm.
—Derek James, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
In New York, her instincts are similar.
—David Morris, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2026
At the same time, the new special marks a reining in of some of Fleming’s more experimental instincts.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2026
But it’s driven by the same instincts that make her other work seem to express something ineffable about the way musical subcultures fit into the world.
—H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 4 Mar. 2026
De Tocqueville observed that Americans carry two powerful, conflicting instincts.
—Scott Hamilton, STAT, 4 Mar. 2026
And the book that would revolutionize college football — and validate Fritz’s instincts — was still a year from coming into his life.
—Seth Emerson, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instincts
Noun
-
Shirley Jackson had four kids and dirty hair, plus psychic tendencies.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
-
But organizing systems that align with your natural tendencies — rather than fighting them — are easier to maintain over time.—
Julianna Chen,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
What readers are saying The conversation explores the impact of a holistic understanding of AI on students' learning experiences, with many participants emphasizing the importance of foundational skills before delving into AI.—
Rebecca Winthrop,
Washington Post,
11 Mar. 2026
-
There were pre-dawn workouts, mid-morning core, mid-afternoon skills training and late-night shooting sessions.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This is the standard for ramp inclinations that are usable for most people, especially wheelchair users.—
K. Desbouis,
Artforum,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Trump’s inclinations to make every race about him could foul this for the GOP.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Still, Meek’s traditionalist impulses often ignite his best songs.—
Dean Van Nguyen,
Pitchfork,
27 Feb. 2026
-
That sense of both protectiveness and distancing will be familiar to most readers who have been sixteen; the difference, though, is that the parental figure that provoked these conflicting impulses was almost certainly not the founder of a fascist organization.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But white settlers found their stubborn dispositions too unruly for domestication and their big bodies too tempting a commodity.—
Christine Peterson,
Outdoor Life,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The solstice will occur on March 20, bringing with it longer, warmer days, blooming flowers, and overall happier dispositions.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instincts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instincts. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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