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
The Bristol Bay watershed is a migration zone and the heartbeat of escapement, the instinctual cycle of salmon creating a sustainable migration pattern.
—
Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The result is an absurdity that can elicit instinctual laughter at the grossest imagery imaginable.
—Robert Niles, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
An ‘instinctual trainer’ But SeaWorld.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
Thomasin’s work has a beautiful authenticity and emotional depth to it, while Toby is so instinctual and alive as an actor.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Minkah is great, Very instinctual, great teammate.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
Moore showed instinctual abilities at running back, with some speed, balance and cutting moves.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The result is an absurdity that can elicit instinctual laughter at the grossest imagery imaginable.
—Robert Niles, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
An ‘instinctual trainer’ But SeaWorld.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
Thomasin’s work has a beautiful authenticity and emotional depth to it, while Toby is so instinctual and alive as an actor.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Minkah is great, Very instinctual, great teammate.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
Moore showed instinctual abilities at running back, with some speed, balance and cutting moves.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinctual
Adjective
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But those ninth innings had started to become less automatic, and Counsell trusts relievers such as Brad Keller (Friday’s eighth-inning guy) and Andrew Kittredge (Friday’s closer) in just about any situation.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
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That includes supporting a ban on semiautomatic automatic weapons and high capacity magazines.—
Mark Vancleave,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Rather than employ mechanical changes to his swing, the Twins thought moving free and easy would simply allow Jenkins to attack more of the zone.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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While quartz has served the industry well for decades, its sensitivity to environmental conditions, mechanical stress and aging presents challenges in demanding applications.—
Markus Lutz,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Each motion of his swing, once dissected, felt mechanical rather than instinctive.—
Zach Sweet,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
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When role demands match instinctive strengths, work feels like swimming with the current instead of against it.—
Carrie Moore,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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There are varying depths of coma, however, and some people may still have some reflex responses.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
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Beyond that, though, the history of the past couple of years shows that NVDA's stock move isn't a reliable directional driver of the broad tape beyond the reflex reaction.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Mid-century collective behavior theories considered social movements to be nonrational, spontaneous events occurring during moments of social and cultural breakdown.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Sep. 2025
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This bill would entrench West Oakland and many other neighborhoods across the state as sacrifice zones, forcing us to deal with toxic chemicals and spontaneous fires for the sake of corporate profits.—
Brian Beveridge,
Mercury News,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The man was working at a mechanic shop in the 4300 block of Eden Road in Kennedale.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Sep. 2025
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Part surgeon, part mechanic — as seen sawing away at a leg in EW's exclusive Fall Movie Preview image, above — days spent filming in Victor's lab were some of the actor's favorite.—
Gerrad Hall,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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New rides like this one can cost $100 million, if not more, to create; incorporate LiDAR laser systems of the kind used on self-driving cars; and rely on robotic figures with thousands of moving parts.—
Bianca Bosker,
The Atlantic,
14 Sep. 2025
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Surprising to see also are the robotic milking machines the farm has invested in that help streamline milk production.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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And then all of a sudden, the pick.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instinctual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinctual. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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