killer instinct

noun

Definition of killer instinctnext
as in overambitiousness

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
  1. starch
  2. grit
  3. spunk
  4. gumption
  5. pluck
  6. spirit
  7. initiative
  8. self-reliance
Noun
  • Allison Wells, a senior instruction specialist in Purdue University’s Department of Food Science, said in a Campus Insights Media video that the starter’s microorganisms begin breaking down starches and other larger components in the dough.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Allison Wells, a senior instruction specialist in Purdue University’s Department of Food Science, explained in a Campus Insights Media video that the starter’s microorganisms begin breaking down starches and other larger components in the dough.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of starch
Noun
  • Cornbread, barbecue chicken, grits and seasonal market vegetables now showcase Brock’s inventive, soulful cooking — and have brought diners back to the restaurant.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The art of assemblage, a cobbling together of things with glue, glitter, and grit, became a way of life.
    — Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of grit
Noun
  • But Alcock is no John Wayne or Jeff Bridges, and Ridley lacks the spunk of Kim Darby and Hailee Steinfeld.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 24 June 2026
  • These small, high-energy pups have plenty of spunk and a big heart.
    — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 11 June 2026
Definition of spunk
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
  • Brits had won World War II, with pluck and skill, but were losing their empire.
    — Scott Simon, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Turn the volume up and that pinhole dilates, revealing swirling galaxies of vocal harmonies, upright bass plucks, and cascading piano runs.
    — Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of pluck
Noun
  • After all, many a good cause got its start from a spirit of noblesse oblige.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • But the ending hints at the possibility that the spirit of Jason may have leapt into the youngster.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of spirit
Noun
  • The system will travel aboard Astrolab’s FLIP rover as part of a mission under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Alongside the private alliance, 17 governments led by Colombia and Armenia launched a separate initiative, the Coalition of Action to Recover Endangered Species (CARES).
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of initiative
Noun
  • The festival emphasizes communal effort, self-reliance and self-expression, according to the organization.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • This increasing self-reliance has an extra benefit in the midst of a grueling war.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of self-reliance

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Cite this Entry

“Killer instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killer%20instinct. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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