as in automatic
done instantly and without conscious thought or decision
the birds' instinctual response is to fly away when startled
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Recent Examples of instinctual
Zal also praised Zhao’s instinctual approach to filmmaking.
—
Kennedy French, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Ponds is a physical, instinctual playmaker who plays downhill like a safety in run support, and excels in man or zone coverage.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
Collectively, love becomes more instinctual and self-led.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
When Mike sees Holly (Nell Fisher) take over his D&D table, his instinctual protectiveness, even jealousy, soon fades to pride.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 Jan. 2026
Because this reaction is instinctual, training a dog to ignore small animals can be hard.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
Emotions are often instinctual—fear, for instance, is triggered by threats to survival—and the accompanying sensations prepare the body physiologically to respond, to fight or flee.
—Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025
Cubs manager Craig Counsell used three main adjectives to describe the roster — athletic, experienced and instinctual — while empowering his coaching staff to draw out those strengths.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
The Cowboys could make a strong case for adding an instinctual player in the second level of their defense, and Logan Wilson is one of the most public trade candidates on the market entering the deadline.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Oct. 2025
Kennedy French, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Ponds is a physical, instinctual playmaker who plays downhill like a safety in run support, and excels in man or zone coverage.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
Collectively, love becomes more instinctual and self-led.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
When Mike sees Holly (Nell Fisher) take over his D&D table, his instinctual protectiveness, even jealousy, soon fades to pride.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 Jan. 2026
Because this reaction is instinctual, training a dog to ignore small animals can be hard.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
Emotions are often instinctual—fear, for instance, is triggered by threats to survival—and the accompanying sensations prepare the body physiologically to respond, to fight or flee.
—Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025
Cubs manager Craig Counsell used three main adjectives to describe the roster — athletic, experienced and instinctual — while empowering his coaching staff to draw out those strengths.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
The Cowboys could make a strong case for adding an instinctual player in the second level of their defense, and Logan Wilson is one of the most public trade candidates on the market entering the deadline.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinctual
Adjective
-
Membership is automatic for first-time guests who book a stay at rates running $3,000 to $5,000 a night for up to 10 people.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
11 Jan. 2026
-
In 2024, some 45% of participants boosted 401(k) deferrals — on their own or as part of their plan’s automatic increases — according to Vanguard’s 2025 How America Saves report, which is based on more than 1,400 plans and nearly 5 million participants.—
Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,
CNBC,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
State police told the outlet that the tractor-trailer had an unspecified mechanical problem.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
There are many thoughtful touches—a handmade olive wood marquetry backgammon set by Greek company Manopoulos, a full shoe cleaning set, large format Ortigia toiletries plus instinctive and easy to use lighting, shower controls and curtain systems.—
Jemima Sissons,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
-
With his deep roots in music and an instinctive grasp of culture, Pharrell Williams has often leaned toward a streetwear-forward sensibility, but this collection struck a careful balance.—
Mecca Pryor,
Essence,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Or just a reflex mean-reversion trade in some laggard sectors at a time when the AI theme has become more fragmented and treacherous?—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
4 Dec. 2025
-
As a result, reflex time — a mechanic that emulated the slow-motion gunfights of Hard Boiled or The Matrix, or bullet time from Remedy’s Max Payne (2001) — would be a defining aspect of F.E.A.R.’s gameplay.—
Will Borger,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Long afternoons and spontaneous plans unfold on patios and in parks across the city.—
Julia Viele,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Wilde explained that the film had many influences, including Mike Nichols and Nora Ephron, but the collaborative writing process and spontaneous shoot was partially inspired by the films of John Cassavetes.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Car lots, mechanic shops, and cafes line a forlorn stretch of Route 66 in central Amarillo, but vibrant art galleries, antique shops, restaurants, a bookstore, and record shop are concentrated in a lively 13-block strip of the famed highway west of the central business district.—
Pam LeBlanc,
Southern Living,
3 Jan. 2026
-
In June 2020, the 72-year-old former police officer and mechanic pleaded guilty to 13 counts of first-degree murder and other crimes in order to avoid the death penalty.—
Christine Pelisek,
PEOPLE,
28 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Organizations should approach this evaluation with realistic expectations about the supervision requirements and plan for hybrid workflows where human operators correct and guide robotic systems through their initial learning phases.—
Janakiram MSV,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Daniel Chong directs the tale about a teenage animal lover who uses technology to place her consciousness into a robotic beaver in order to uncover mysteries within the animal world.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Loose, fast, and slightly jerky steps, a sudden joy sweeping through the body like a wind.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
This design helps prevent the air from escaping during sudden movements or changes in orientation.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instinctual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinctual. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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