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
Harrison referenced Freud’s theory of sublimation—the redirection of instinctual drives into more meaningful, productive forms.
—
Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
But with Vendrán Suaves Lluvias, Estrada is bolder, wilder, more instinctual.
—Cat Cardenas, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2025
The Cubs are athletic, instinctual and experienced, qualities that are magnified underneath the playoff spotlight.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Jackson threw it away on fourth down, almost like an instinctual reaction of panic.
—Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
There’s an instinctual stitching that binds its many scenes together that build to a heartwrenching ending, culminating in neither a whimper nor a bang but a welcome sigh of relief.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025
Learning about this biological response showed me just how instinctual elimination communication is.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
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
Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
But with Vendrán Suaves Lluvias, Estrada is bolder, wilder, more instinctual.
—Cat Cardenas, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2025
The Cubs are athletic, instinctual and experienced, qualities that are magnified underneath the playoff spotlight.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Jackson threw it away on fourth down, almost like an instinctual reaction of panic.
—Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
There’s an instinctual stitching that binds its many scenes together that build to a heartwrenching ending, culminating in neither a whimper nor a bang but a welcome sigh of relief.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025
Learning about this biological response showed me just how instinctual elimination communication is.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinctual
Adjective
-
The criminal complaint, though, does not mention a semi-automatic weapon or that Martinez was armed.—
Josh Campbell,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Turn on automatic updates so you're always protected without having to think about it.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Oct. 2025
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Its improved flexibility, joint control, and mechanical balance enable it to mimic human movement more closely than ever before.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Having scored on his Serie A debut against Fiorentina with an impressive finish against former United goalkeeper David de Gea, Hojlund grabbed his second Serie A goal at the weekend with an instinctive finish to secure three points against Genoa in a 2-1 victory.—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
-
That quiet, instinctive gesture of care — captured on video and later shared on TikTok — struck a chord with hundreds of thousands.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In each case, there's a recognition that some players might want to explore a game's world—to experience the characters, art, and dialogue that the developers worked so hard to craft—without struggling through mechanical reflex tests or grindy, repetitive challenges.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
9 Oct. 2025
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This realistic doctor’s coat has everything your aspiring doctor needs to give their patients a check-up, including a face mask, a stethoscope with sound effects (AAA batteries not included), thermometer, syringe, reflex hammer, and reusable name tag.—
Katrina Cossey,
Parents,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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However, unlike beer or cheese, where microbes are intentionally introduced and controlled, fermentation in cocoa beans is a spontaneous process and largely uncontrolled.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
18 Oct. 2025
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And the Eagles are catching spontaneous migraines on third downs, ranking just 27th in converting them and 26th in defending them.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Crowson said the suspect then drove to an area about two and a half miles north of the mechanic shop, where police received a report of another shooting.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
9 Oct. 2025
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An hour later, a mechanic shop in Houston called 911 to report that a man had shot and killed a male employee.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The experiment opens new possibilities in robotic locomotion.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Unlike typical surgical bioprinters that require large machines or robotic arms near the patient, MEDS contains no electronics.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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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.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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The result was a sudden and deep selloff among regional banks, drawing comparisons to the churn of the 2023 banking crisis that consumed Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic.—
Hugh Son,
CNBC,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instinctual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinctual. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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