instinctual

adjective

as in automatic
done instantly and without conscious thought or decision the birds' instinctual response is to fly away when startled

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 instinctual In her speech, Swift reflected on her career, the instinctual nature of her songwriting, and trusting her own voice. — Bryan West, USA Today, 12 June 2026 The instinctual Moon in your 1st House of Identity conjoins tender Chiron there, asking you to lead by naming a need without armor. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026 What Natalie does seem driven by—more than faith, more than redirected ambition—is her instinctual loathing of other women. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026 Sprints are chaotic and instinctual, for all the planning that can be done, decisions have to be made on feeling, with risk, at speeds topping out at around 80kph. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 9 May 2026 This was an instinctual work, mined from decades of memory. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026 Gukesh has a maturity that seems connected to his openness to instinctual play, and to his awareness of the depth and power of human feeling. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026 The rest of Kennard’s learning has been through conversations with coaches, film study and instinctual play on the court. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026 Even voluntary music response seems to have an instinctual aspect. — Jesse Greenspan, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinctual
  1. automatic
  2. mechanical
  3. instinctive
  4. reflex
  5. spontaneous
  6. mechanic
  7. robotic
  8. sudden
Adjective
  • Setting up recurring automatic contributions is a good way to slowly build your investment fund.
    — Elizabeth Gravier,Dan Avery, CNBC, 16 July 2026
  • The legislative provision must include gradual and continual reductions in federal debt held by the public as a percent of GDP between the date of enactment and Fiscal 2040 with automatic enforcement mechanisms.
    — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 15 July 2026
Definition of automatic
Adjective
  • Its internal mechanical architecture is modeled on the human spine and musculoskeletal system, using synthetic muscle-like actuators that enable fluid, natural movements.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 16 July 2026
  • Although cops initially found no evidence of a mechanical malfunction, the family has alleged that Butler’s car may have been defective.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2026
Definition of mechanical
Adjective
  • His instinctive reaction, tearful after losing another final, was to throw in the towel, to announce his career with Argentina was over at the age of 29, to focus on his club career, which by comparison brought him so much joy and so little anxiety.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • In your 10th House of Career and Status, the instinctive Moon conjoins harmonious Venus, helping your public presence land with more warmth and polish.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026
Definition of instinctive
Adjective
  • As the session continues, Atlas’s movements appear increasingly fluid, suggesting the system is being evaluated not only for strength but also for agility, reflex response, and adaptive motor control.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 24 June 2026
  • Wyle listened to the two women’s breathing and administered a reflex test on their knees.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 8 May 2026
Definition of reflex
Adjective
  • Neighbors of the state park who have become accustomed to spontaneous visits found that the new system hampers their ability to make a last-minute trip.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026
  • But attorneys Reid Kingsbury for Payton and Linda Parisi for Martin argued the two men, though armed that night, were caught in a burst of spontaneous gunfire triggered by Sergio Harris and fired back to defend themselves.
    — Darrell Smith July 16, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of spontaneous
Adjective
  • In an Atlantic essay, Wight recalled finding a mechanic reading Thucydides on the grimy floor of his shop, a bare bulb illuminating his page.
    — Elias Wachtel, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026
  • Thankfully, a mechanic shop was a short drive away.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 28 June 2026
Definition of mechanic
Adjective
  • The platform combines robotic manipulation, digital twin simulation, computer vision, and IoT monitoring into a single software stack for industrial automation.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026
  • Shares fell more than 11% after the maker of surgical robotic tools posted second-quarter results.
    — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 17 July 2026
Definition of robotic
Adjective
  • The film centers on Prabha, a troubled young man whose sudden and unexplained death triggers a ripple effect across his extended family and community.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • Cyclosporiasis symptoms include sudden, watery and occasionally explosive diarrhea—these symptoms usually appear between two days and two weeks after ingesting the parasite.
    — Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 17 July 2026
Definition of sudden

Browse Nearby Words

instincts
instinctual
institute
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Cite this Entry

“Instinctual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinctual. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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