as in overambitiousness
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Recent Examples of killer instinct
Will Joe finally find that perfect love he’s been searching for, or will his killer instincts ruin everything yet again?
—
Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
The killer instinct to wrap up a series is crucial.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 May 2025
Eve is placed by Winston in the care of the Director, who recognizes the killer instinct forged out of pain and anger as the girl matures.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025
The stoicism, resilience and killer instinct that turned Klonowski from an outsider into a reliable force encounter their toughest test to date entering the NCAA Championships.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for killer instinct
Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
The killer instinct to wrap up a series is crucial.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 May 2025
Eve is placed by Winston in the care of the Director, who recognizes the killer instinct forged out of pain and anger as the girl matures.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025
The stoicism, resilience and killer instinct that turned Klonowski from an outsider into a reliable force encounter their toughest test to date entering the NCAA Championships.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for killer instinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for killer instinct
Noun
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McGovern, meanwhile, may have launched her film career as a naturalistic ingénue in Ordinary People and Ragtime, but lately, she’s become associated with the period starch of Downton Abbey.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
8 Aug. 2025
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Unlike conventional corn syrup, a form of glucose derived from starch that has been around for over 200 years, high fructose corn syrup wasn’t developed until after World War II, when scientists in Japan began tinkering with the grain, hoping to transmogrify this staple into new products.—
Stephen Mihm,
Mercury News,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In a tournament that tested grit, teamwork, and championship resolve, D’Tigress once again stood tall.—
Sindiswa Mabunda,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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The menu showcases the best local seafood with several menu items including the tuna, shrimp and grits, and fish special all utilizing regional catch.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Those recordings hold up for their crystalline sound and youthful spunk.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2025
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His band, which included former San Diego guitarist Jose Rios, played with spunk and well-calibrated precision whether delivering uptempo funk and hip-hop numbers, tender R&B love songs or slinky reggae grooves.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 May 2025
Noun
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Ellen is Team Colum, and that endorsement gives him enough gumption to ask his brother to kindly yield.—
Lincee Ray Published,
EW.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Because, in the first movie, that line came out of desperation and fear; a very young girl who just had a moment of gumption, and honestly, a killer could have jumped right out of that moment and taken her out.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
21 July 2025
Noun
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First: Be heartened by the pluck and guile the Nuggets showed against the Thunder three weeks ago.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
9 June 2025
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Her suggestions run the gamut from a few plucks here and there to some more adventurous moves, depending on the client.—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2019
Noun
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For Gela, the spirits represent the fear of something.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
13 Aug. 2025
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This shared spirit between Magnolia Pearl and brands like Foreign Tongues as well as other artisan-first labels points to a rising current in fashion—a rejection of disposability, trend-chasing, and mass-production-at-all-costs.—
Tanya Benedicto Klich,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Mangel's dedication to building up Cincinnati's Jewish community is evident in her major initiative the Mega Challah Bake.—
Grace Tucker,
The Enquirer,
7 Aug. 2025
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This great peace initiative saved millions of lives, prevented famine and allowed nations to rebuild after the war.—
William Lambers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The move to greater … regional self-reliance for defence, energy, food and raw materials is a very long-term one.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
14 Aug. 2025
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And rural communities, with their strong culture of self-reliance, adaptability, resilience, and strong local ties, are uniquely positioned to benefit from and potentially lead this transformation.—
Bill Frist,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Killer instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killer%20instinct. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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