as in overambitiousness
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Recent Examples of killer instinct
That's down to gardener Harper Starling who protects her home with her killer instincts — literally.
—
Lizz Schumer, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025
But the staging of the fight is awkward, and seems to be going out of its way to protect Wendy, who’s super strong and fast yet doesn’t have any training (nor the killer instincts of her opponent).
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2025
Could Rhodes muster up some killer instinct to put Cena away?
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2025
With a mop of long brown hair and a baby face belying a killer instinct that soon would be seen across the college football world, 18-year-old Kellen Moore would sit without saying a word in the Boise State quarterback meetings.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for killer instinct
Lizz Schumer, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025
But the staging of the fight is awkward, and seems to be going out of its way to protect Wendy, who’s super strong and fast yet doesn’t have any training (nor the killer instincts of her opponent).
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2025
Could Rhodes muster up some killer instinct to put Cena away?
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2025
With a mop of long brown hair and a baby face belying a killer instinct that soon would be seen across the college football world, 18-year-old Kellen Moore would sit without saying a word in the Boise State quarterback meetings.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for killer instinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for killer instinct
Noun
-
Enzymes like amylase break down the starches and sugars into glucose.—
Patty Weasler,
Verywell Health,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Leaving the skin on and roasting or chilling cooked potatoes helps preserve fiber and increase resistant starch for better gut health.—
Lindsey DeSoto,
Health,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
First and foremost, just the grit in our guys and in our group to keep a battling against a team that was moving the ball well.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Nov. 2025
-
With passion, perseverance and, yes, grit.—
Levi Weaver,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
People on TikTok were taken by Reagan's sudden spunk.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 July 2025
-
Howard preferred simmer to boil, sugar to sass, and never lacked spunk.—
Bob Gendron,
Chicago Tribune,
16 July 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, opponents of zero-defect culture question whether officers who survive in today’s system have the gumption and risk-taking instincts to win the next big war.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
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Fitzgerald’s gumption as a deep field-goal kicker was tested with the Panthers up, 7-0, and having all the momentum.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The judge relented in the face of his daughter’s determination, perhaps more than a little proud of her patriotic pluck.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Aug. 2025
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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
Noun
-
In this spirit, as with Bloomsday, there are Midwinter Day marathon readings!—
Diana Arterian,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
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The 40th release, however, marks the first time the brand has ever released a tequila—an extra añejo blend put together by a leading name in the agave spirits industry.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The Academy’s international membership has grown significantly through the diversity initiative launched after the #OscarsSoWhite controversy.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
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This year marks the 75th anniversary of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, an initiative where children collect coins to donate to the agency that supports children in need worldwide.—
NPR,
NPR,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Beijing calls for ‘extraordinary measures’ toward self-reliance Chinese authorities outlined plans to increase the country’s self-reliance and deepen its dominance of manufacturing.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
31 Oct. 2025
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Although self-reliance is Africa’s goal, the challenge is achieving true autonomy without structural transformation of nations that remain highly unproductive.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Killer instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killer%20instinct. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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