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
Your instincts likely encourage generous choices, while setting a clear price or boundary helps exchanges feel fair across your life.
—
Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
His instincts, toughness and football character are off the charts.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Ashley isn’t that much brighter, but her instincts are well-honed to a fault.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Voters are fragments of coalitions, habits, grudges, identities, and instincts.
—Matt Klink, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026
Zach Justice, a popular podcaster, says clippers’ gut instincts are often helpful for virality.
—Andrew Zucker, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026
Your instincts are currently an excellent guide, so speak plainly, listen fully, and let connections unfold at a pace that feels real.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
Philo has operated more efficiently in 11-on-11 settings and impressed with his instincts as a runner.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
After nearly five seasons of Abbott, Brunson says the writers room is following its instincts by exploring this side of Janine and Gregory’s relationship.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026
Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
His instincts, toughness and football character are off the charts.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Ashley isn’t that much brighter, but her instincts are well-honed to a fault.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Voters are fragments of coalitions, habits, grudges, identities, and instincts.
—Matt Klink, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026
Zach Justice, a popular podcaster, says clippers’ gut instincts are often helpful for virality.
—Andrew Zucker, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026
Your instincts are currently an excellent guide, so speak plainly, listen fully, and let connections unfold at a pace that feels real.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
Philo has operated more efficiently in 11-on-11 settings and impressed with his instincts as a runner.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
After nearly five seasons of Abbott, Brunson says the writers room is following its instincts by exploring this side of Janine and Gregory’s relationship.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instincts
Noun
-
There were no signs the victim had suicidal tendencies, according to police.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
While Heuermann could hold the key to previously-unknown details surrounding the inner workings of a serial killer’s mind, Burgess cautions the ability to work alongside the FBI could feed into any narcissistic tendencies that are frequently observed in the most heinous criminals.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Far from the mortal enemies they are destined to become, the pair become friends and combine sleuthing skills to try and solve a globe-trotting mystery that unfolds over the eight episodes.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Lane is a traits bet with real movement skills for his frame.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Who knew that such daring would lead to a film that avoids these inclinations entirely, especially one that could have so easily leaned into controversial territory?—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Samuel Alito’s inclinations have not been hard to discern lately.—
Peter S. Canellos,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In astrology, Venus speaks to your desires, relationships and sense of ease, while Mars governs your actions, impulses and pursuits.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
-
These impulses are at odds during today’s last quarter moon.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 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
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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 21 Apr. 2026.
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