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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instinctual
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
Skyy Clark is a very instinctual defender.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 21 Mar. 2026
Even voluntary music response seems to have an instinctual aspect.
—Jesse Greenspan, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026
Your method was partly instinctual, partly gleaned from older girls from home, who had found themselves in trouble that way.
—Addie Citchens, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
There is an instinctual thing — an unspoken and not really understood connection there.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
Maybe this instinctual allure is why waiting lists for allotments have doubled and tripled in the past decade.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
The former five-star recruit is big (6-3, 238), instinctual, and features impressive lateral quickness and movement skills.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
More than a decade later, their chemistry is best described by Murray as telepathic, intellectual, instinctual.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Skyy Clark is a very instinctual defender.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 21 Mar. 2026
Even voluntary music response seems to have an instinctual aspect.
—Jesse Greenspan, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026
Your method was partly instinctual, partly gleaned from older girls from home, who had found themselves in trouble that way.
—Addie Citchens, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
There is an instinctual thing — an unspoken and not really understood connection there.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
Maybe this instinctual allure is why waiting lists for allotments have doubled and tripled in the past decade.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
The former five-star recruit is big (6-3, 238), instinctual, and features impressive lateral quickness and movement skills.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
More than a decade later, their chemistry is best described by Murray as telepathic, intellectual, instinctual.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinctual
Adjective
-
Muncy's fly to left field scored Jacob Wilson, who began the inning as the automatic runner at second base and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Denzel Clarke.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Apr. 2026
-
During a routine maneuver in late February, Voyager 1's power levels fell unexpectedly, bringing the probe dangerously close to triggering an automatic fault-protection shutdown — a self-preservation response that would have forced engineers into a lengthy and risky recovery process.—
Willem Marx,
NPR,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Delane is an instinctive defender with a quality skill set for the next level.—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The instinctive Moon conjoins responsible Saturn in your 11th House of Humanity, guiding your interactions with teams and allies.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That reflex delays care and erodes trust.—
Liz Koch,
STAT,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The ten seconds that led to the Braylon Mullins’ miracle shot were a series of reflex plays, reactions, the ultimate in instincts taking over, living in the split second, rather than in the moment.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Because your nature is bold and spontaneous, aim your confidence at one specific outcome.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Videos show people approaching the robot on city streets to shake hands, ask questions, and record interactions for social media, with these spontaneous encounters becoming central to its appeal.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Potholes may go unfilled, Davis said, and drivers may have to make unplanned trips to the mechanic shop to fix their tires as a result.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
And soon after another brother and mechanic William Davidson joined the team.—
Ricardo Torres,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Intuitive Surgical also conflicts with our recent initiation of Johnson & Johnson, which is seeking to enter the robotic surgery market.—
Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2026
-
In 2012, Lomas became the first person to complete the London Marathon by wearing a robotic suit to help her walk.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Church officials say the sudden loss of funding could force the organization to end its operations tied to migrant children within three months.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Brace positions are a safety protocol that flight attendants follow in case of accidents and sudden emergencies.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instinctual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinctual. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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