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
Charlotte needs to develop the killer instinct that turns comfortable leads into victories, not crushing disappointments that define the season.
—
Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2025
The killer instinct to wrap up a series is crucial.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 May 2025
Morikawa is on a yearslong mission to regain his killer instinct.
—Brody Miller, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Will Joe finally find that perfect love he’s been searching for, or will his killer instincts ruin everything yet again?
—Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for killer instinct
Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2025
The killer instinct to wrap up a series is crucial.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 May 2025
Morikawa is on a yearslong mission to regain his killer instinct.
—Brody Miller, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Will Joe finally find that perfect love he’s been searching for, or will his killer instincts ruin everything yet again?
—Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for killer instinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for killer instinct
Noun
-
They’re used to advertise the American Southwest, hotels and corn starch.—
Chris Quintana,
USA Today,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Chicken pot pie recipe Chicken pot pie is basically a complete meal, featuring a healthy blend of meat, starch and vegetables.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Chef’s specialties include cast iron cinnamon rolls and ancho chile ceasar salad, alongside oysters on the half shell and shallot shrimp grits.—
Rai Mincey,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
If the leaves are especially dirty, soak in cold water, gently agitating them to loosen dirt and grit.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 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
-
Even with all the gumption in the world, the eponymous Elbow Grease does not win his climactic race.—
Sloane Crosley,
New Yorker,
25 Aug. 2025
-
Ellen is Team Colum, and that endorsement gives him enough gumption to ask his brother to kindly yield.—
Lincee Ray Published,
EW.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
But seeing the children in the shelter − along with the Red Cross staff − brightens her spirit.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
4 Sep. 2025
-
But the new film, set in 1986, finds the Warrens dealing with a bunch of personal matters, as well as a Pennsylvania family haunted by a mirror cursed with malevolent spirits.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And under Trump, research universities are losing funding and climate initiatives are being decimated.—
Julia Rendleman,
ProPublica,
5 Sep. 2025
-
For example, in 2013, Beijing began pushing for engagement with countries around the world through its Belt and Road initiative (BRI).—
Jan Camenzind Broomby,
NPR,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
If anything, your self-reliance might be keeping you from the perfect career opportunity.—
Colleen Batchelder,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
The incident highlights the challenges of policing and ensuring safety in a temporary city of more than 70,000 people built in the isolation of Nevada's Black Rock Desert, raising questions about how the festival can balance its ethos of self-reliance with the realities of crime and public safety.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Killer instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killer%20instinct. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share