KILLER INSTINCT Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

killer instinct

noun

Definition of killer instinct

as in overambitiousness

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Recent Examples of killer instinct The entrepreneur and lifestyle icon has built a career out of creating and celebrating beautiful things, but a killer instinct for business is why her career has far outpaced the men’s around her. — Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Mar. 2026 During the third, his killer instinct shifted focus. — Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026 Piastri, 24, showed glimpses of that killer instinct in 2025, finishing third and cementing himself as one of the sport’s best drivers in his third full season. — Roman Stubbs, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2026 UConn is 22-1, has won 18 in a row, is 7-0 in true road games, ranked third in the nation, and the coach is no longer lamenting a lack of killer instinct, but showing the lack of respect card. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for killer instinct

Recent Examples of Synonyms for killer instinct

Noun

Meals are frequently centered on a starch, such as pasta, risotto, or polenta, and are often paired with red or white wine.

— Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Sep. 2026
Drinking apple cider vinegar before meals can help slow the rise of blood sugar by slowing the digestion of starches.

— Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of starch

Noun

The friends haven’t seen each other in some time, though Frankie spends many an evening parked outside the hospice in his car, summoning the gumption to visit.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
Slight, lightning quick and with mesmerizing ballhanding, Iverson attacked defenses on the perimeter and in the paint with equal parts of fearlessness and relentlessness, guile and gumption.

— Rob Peterson, New York Times, 26 July 2026

Definition of gumption

Noun

But don’t let the relatable career-girl pluck of the movie dilute the fact that this song is pissed off about capitalism, even as its hooks make the grind of working life more bearable.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
The opening acoustic guitar plucks were full in the lower frequencies while showing enough treble finesse to convey fine string texture.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 14 June 2026

Definition of pluck

Noun

Eco effort The team is implementing all the usual initiatives for a greener hotel—no single-use plastics in the rooms, bathrooms or restaurants; transfers are arranged with electric cars; and the use of bicycles is encouraged.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026
Chanel’s commission at Dib Bangkok is part of a larger initiative at the French brand, which collaborates with over 50 cultural institutions across 15 countries.

— Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of initiative

Noun

Their source was the collective enthusiasm of a population that had gone into revolution—a revolution forming committees of social self-reliance in every field.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
The music superstar grew up steeped in the ethic of self-reliance.

— George F. Will, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of self-reliance

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“Killer instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killer%20instinct. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of killer instinct

noun

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