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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Luke Williams, the automatic runner, took off for third, before briefly turning back to second, unsure of where to go.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
18 June 2025 -
Earlier this month, men’s and women’s basketball added a coaches challenge and removed automatic replays for out-of-bounds calls in the final two minutes for the sake of game flow.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 June 2025
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Just two decades ago, most people voted using mechanical levers or punch cards.—
Bruce Schneier,
The Conversation,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Related Articles The Vivienne Westwood line has been unveiled in London since 2017 for both men’s and women’s, but is now being separated to spotlight the different business categories, an instinctive decision for Kronthaler.—
Hikmat Mohammed,
Footwear News,
20 June 2025
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In this sense, fashion functions in a very instinctive way on my figures.—
Essence,
Essence,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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Apart from the reflex response to a jump scare, the purpose of almost any horror movie is to disturb you.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
16 May 2025
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The Loewe Grand inicio is a powerful two-way speaker with a bass reflex system and is available as a floor-standing speaker.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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Dating rocks involves using radiometric techniques that harness the natural and spontaneous radioactive decay of certain elements in the rock, which acts as a type of clock.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
27 June 2025
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The Bridgerton alum, fresh off his Richard II run, says Italy, cycling, spritzes, and spontaneous moments fuel his summer spirit.—
Moná Thomas,
People.com,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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Home in foreclosure, a mobile mechanic Online records show that his Canby Street home was in foreclosure last year and sold in September for $60,000.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In a recording of a telephone call heard by CNN, a person outside of Iran hoping to hear their friend’s voice on the other line, was instead met with a robotic voice.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
21 June 2025
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The robotic mission proceeded normally until April 1, when the spacecraft detected a drop in pressure inside the line that feeds xenon fuel to its four thrusters.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
21 June 2025
Adjective
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In that light, the sudden uptick in volatility is not a surprise.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
18 June 2025
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The sudden news of the pay raise has sparked hope for the future of cheerleaders.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
18 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Instinctual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinctual. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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