killer instinct

noun

Definition of killer instinctnext
as in overambitiousness

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 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 But not everyone has that same killer instinct. — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Dec. 2025 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
  • High-protein pasta made from legumes tends to deliver 20 grams or more per dry serving and doubles as both starch and protein on the plate.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 9, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
  • Foods containing resistant starches, including some beans, whole grains and seeds, resist easy conversion into usable energy and don’t trigger that same storage response.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 July 2026
Definition of starch
Noun
  • Inquisitiveness and grit should be encouraged regardless of age.
    — Eric Francia, Fortune, 7 July 2026
  • Johnson Products Company — which would later go on to manufacture Ultra Sheen, Classy Curl, Curly Perm and men’s cologne line Black Tie — was made from humble beginnings, grit and a revolutionary product idea.
    — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 7 July 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
  • Starting with $250 and a lot of gumption, Kathy Bonnet created a Nashville tradition.
    — Nancy Vienneau, Southern Living, 27 June 2026
  • As Riese observed in an excellent round-up from Autostraddle, this magazine was best known for a certain gumption.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 15 June 2026
Definition of gumption
Noun
  • 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
  • With every pluck, the strings seem to vibrate in the air in front of you, blurring like bees’ wings.
    — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 4 June 2026
Definition of pluck
Noun
  • So after years of working as a television producer, Saleh left broadcast journalism and leaned into her creative spirit.
    — Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • All the most gasp-inspiring moments of visual awe — such as Moana soaring across the sea as a manta ray spirit swims underneath her — are just a little stronger, a little bolder and brighter, in their original art form.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 8 July 2026
Definition of spirit
Noun
  • His supporters have clamped their mouths tighter than the federal budget for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • While many initiatives are new, some universities have waived tuition for middle-income students for a decade or more.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 8 July 2026
Definition of initiative
Noun
  • Rising oil prices and fuel shortages have spurred calls for Africa to move toward greater self-reliance.
    — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 6 July 2026
  • Some exercises create a feeling of power, achievement and self-reliance that's incredibly motivating.
    — Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 5 July 2026
Definition of self-reliance

Browse Nearby Words

killer
killer instinct
killers
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Killer instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killer%20instinct. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of xeric

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All