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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinctual
Adjective
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The shift to a traditional automatic is a welcome retreat from old frustrations, the turbo’d engine is a step towards efficiency, and the cabin pivots firmly into the modern era.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
17 Aug. 2025 -
At that point, benefits would be funded solely through incoming payroll taxes, triggering an automatic cut of around 21 percent unless Congress takes action.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Born in 1934, the nonagenarian Kurt Klaus is one of the most important watchmakers from the golden age of 20th-century mechanical horology.—
Oren Hartov,
Robb Report,
15 Aug. 2025
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Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The move, however, could be more an instinctive reflex than a reflection of what’s really driving markets.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
5 Aug. 2025
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So their instinctive brain compels them to mirror your ways and values, to secure your attachment to them.—
Cyndy Etler,
Hartford Courant,
28 July 2025
Adjective
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These habits become reflex rather than top-down mandates.—
Khristian Gutierrez,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
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The hard plastic cabinets have bass reflex ports on the rear along the top edge.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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This eight-episode Netflix Arctic comedy is a must-watch about a young Inuk woman who wants to build a new future for herself and her daughter after a spontaneous split from her husband.—
Dana Feldman,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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What followed was a whirlwind of emergency vet visits, a spontaneous adoption and a shocking diagnosis that led to a major surgery.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Another customer says the soap works wonders for their mechanic husband and is powerful enough to remove dirt and grease.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
10 July 2025
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Before becoming a cofounder, Hildreth worked in roles that many would dismiss as mundane: mechanic, logistics officer and government contractor.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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With the convergence of robotic process automation (RPA), generative AI and process intelligence, a new paradigm is emerging at enterprises: AI recommends, human decides, bot executes.—
Dutt Kalluri,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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While attempting to negotiate Owens' surrender, the SWAT team deployed a robotic device to establish contact with him.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Be aware of sudden re-direction of fires in response to passing outflow boundaries.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Aug. 2025
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Leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Instinctual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinctual. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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