as in tendency
a usually innate ability or desire to perform a specific activity
Pouncing on mice is a cat's natural instinct. We needed all of our survival instincts to make it through the weeks lost at sea.
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Recent Examples of instinct
Sometimes the predatory instinct will get the better or the fever.
—
Jack O’Connor, Outdoor Life, 6 Nov. 2024
Trust your instincts over what others try to lead you to believe.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Her first instinct was to share the tiny kittens' plight online.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
When the feeling of pandemonium takes over, our instinct is often to try to regain control through sweeping personal change.
—Shira Gill, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for instinct 
Jack O’Connor, Outdoor Life, 6 Nov. 2024
Trust your instincts over what others try to lead you to believe.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Her first instinct was to share the tiny kittens' plight online.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
When the feeling of pandemonium takes over, our instinct is often to try to regain control through sweeping personal change.
—Shira Gill, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for instinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinct
Noun
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And while her tendency to deviate from what’s considered professional is a major archetype of her personality, there’s much more to Ava that other people in leadership roles can learn from.Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
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The sulfur particles, on the other hand, ranked second to last because of their tendency to absorb sunlight at certain wavelengths rather than reflect it and its clumpiness.Devika Rao, theweek, 12 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Lynch even started his own foundation to share the skill with others struggling with trauma and toxic stress.Gabriella Rudy, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
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Boxing classes can be a healthy way to help relieve stress, while also growing confidence in self-defense skills.Carolyn Burt, Orange County Register, 11 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Smullen’s inclinations here reek of resentment rather than a healthier competitiveness that would drive him to bring a solid case against his main suspect.Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
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Although the natural inclination is to think of a marathon as something done on foot, or by people who are known as ambulatory, the NYC Marathon does have a program for the race that’s inclusive of wheelchair users.Steven Aquino, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
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The state’s moderate Republican Gov. Chris Sununu has held the legislature back from some of its most extreme impulses, including vetoing congressional redistricting plans that would have benefited Republicans (though allowing some lopsided state legislative maps to go into effect).Cooper Burton, ABC News, 31 Oct. 2024
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Divided power should, in theory, serve as a check on the worst impulses of each political party.Bill Stone, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Engaging in self-reflection: Demonstrating self-awareness and humility, recognizing the impact of your dispositions and behaviors on the well-being of your team.Julie Kratz, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024
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Who's got four paws, a sunny disposition and loves fetching balls?Yacob Reyes, Axios, 1 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinct. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
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