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
His instincts are second to none.
—
Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
The lesson learned is that when a 14-year-old trusts his instincts and gathers the confidence and courage to tell adults the truth, people will listen.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
What would’ve been a sell-out move nine times out of 10 only validated Winding Refn’s initial instincts threefold.
—Nick Newman, IndieWire, 6 May 2026
The writer is expected to bond with a new steward who had no part in the original creative conversation, who may have entirely different instincts about the material, and who inherits a relationship already frayed by the impersonal mechanics of a deal that took forever to close.
—George Heller, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
The Moon in your sign highlights your 1st House of Self, making your instincts strong, fast, and immediate.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 4 May 2026
My parents had none of this, nor even basic language to understand transness—nothing but instincts and empathy.
—Benny Peterson, Vogue, 4 May 2026
The defensive instincts that were built with Joo have carried Williams throughout her career.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
Preston is a threatening creator with good offensive instincts who played to just under a point per game in the WHL before this season.
—Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 4 May 2026
Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
The lesson learned is that when a 14-year-old trusts his instincts and gathers the confidence and courage to tell adults the truth, people will listen.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
What would’ve been a sell-out move nine times out of 10 only validated Winding Refn’s initial instincts threefold.
—Nick Newman, IndieWire, 6 May 2026
The writer is expected to bond with a new steward who had no part in the original creative conversation, who may have entirely different instincts about the material, and who inherits a relationship already frayed by the impersonal mechanics of a deal that took forever to close.
—George Heller, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
The Moon in your sign highlights your 1st House of Self, making your instincts strong, fast, and immediate.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 4 May 2026
My parents had none of this, nor even basic language to understand transness—nothing but instincts and empathy.
—Benny Peterson, Vogue, 4 May 2026
The defensive instincts that were built with Joo have carried Williams throughout her career.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
Preston is a threatening creator with good offensive instincts who played to just under a point per game in the WHL before this season.
—Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 4 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instincts
Noun
-
Americans of all political tendencies increasingly favor sweeping, disorienting political change.—
Abby McCloskey,
Twin Cities,
7 May 2026
-
With the Jax-sized hole in the cast, the narcissistic tendencies in the other men become more glaring, showing how covert mistreatment can slowly chip away at a relationship.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Try this instead The prevalence of vaguebooking also speaks to the breakdown of communication skills more broadly.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Facing a crisis in critical thinking skills, some are reviving oral exams, forcing students to defend their assignments to instructors in real time.—
Jocelyn Gecker,
Los Angeles Times,
28 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
-
We’re constantly told that the internet highlights our most selfish, divided or angry impulses.—
Simon Rogers,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
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Now working as a duo, the erstwhile bedroom-pop project embraces its gnarliest impulses on its third album, finding unexpected hope amid clouds of distortion and anxious lyrics.—
Colin Joyce,
Pitchfork,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Deputies will document all referrals and dispositions so the department can track how often services are offered, what resources are utilized and whether those efforts are producing measurable results.—
Sierra van der Brug,
Daily News,
4 May 2026
-
The department processed 330 district attorney service requests and 324 dispositions, totaling 654 actions, or about 327 staff hours.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instincts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instincts. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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