as in overambitiousness
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Recent Examples of killer instinct
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
So many opponents would have wilted in that moment, unable to stand up to James’ determination or Dončić’s killer instinct.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for killer instinct
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
So many opponents would have wilted in that moment, unable to stand up to James’ determination or Dončić’s killer instinct.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for killer instinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for killer instinct
Noun
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For gluten-free options try potato starch buns for a soft springy texture that will hold up well against hefty proteins, or light, toothsome wraps made with rice, coconut, or tapioca flours, and blended with spinach, beet, or other vibrant vegetable extracts for a splash of color.—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 July 2025
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Below, four favorite foods to eat ahead of run for a light stomach, max energy, and adequate hydration: Oat flakes have a high starch content and are a good source of protein, with a ratio of 12g per 100g. Add a few fresh berries and a couple spoonfuls of Greek yogurt for an ideal pre-run snack.—
Jeanne Ballion,
Vogue,
21 July 2025
Noun
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Agriculture is invented, only to wear down farmers’ teeth with grit from the stones used to mill grain.—
Burkhard Bilger,
New Yorker,
28 July 2025
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Yes, that bag of grits that’s stashed away in your pantry.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
27 July 2025
Noun
-
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
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Owing to her Western spunk, talent for deduction, ability to identify a tobacco scent Holmes cannot and the detective’s need for a sidekick, she’s made his assistant.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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The critics may be talking tough now, but Thune is betting that some of them won’t have the gumption to block the bill on the Senate floor and risk having Trump’s anger rain down on them through social media.—
Alexander Bolton,
The Hill,
26 June 2025
Noun
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The opening acoustic guitar plucks get strong low-mid resonance to sound nice and big, while the higher frequencies receive enough attention to convey string texture.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
16 June 2025
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But Belvidere is roaring back because of its own pluck.—
Laurent Belsie,
Christian Science Monitor,
19 May 2025
Noun
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That spirit of innovation has shaped our approach to programs globally.—
Kevin Holden Platt,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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Instead, we're meant to interpret the montage as Anna's way of carrying Jamie's spirit with her through her life.—
Maureen Lee Lenker Published,
EW.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Companies that recently scrapped DEI initiatives These businesses followed on the heels of the initial wave of companies removing diversity, equity and inclusion policies.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
14 July 2025
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Finance leaders play a vital role in ensuring the organization’s technology modernization journey delivers maximum value by identifying the modernization initiatives offering the highest ROI potential with the lowest project execution risk.—
Jim DeLoach,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
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Living in a small, remote place required a mix of self-reliance and solidarity.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
2 Aug. 2025
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The dual plans reflect rising US-China tech tensions; US President Donald Trump’s deregulatory approach to American AI could push Beijing to double down on its quest for self-reliance and domestic alternatives to Western tech, the South China Morning Post reported.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Killer instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killer%20instinct. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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