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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 instinct
Mercury is activating your subconscious mind, so your gut instincts are on point — good luck explaining why to anyone else!
—
Valerie Mesa, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025
This is a very rare crime, and the fact that two women on the row had been convicted of it felt like a dark confirmation of the power of the maternal instinct.
—Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
For now, the best advice is probably to follow your instincts.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 9 Feb. 2025
The instinct is to say that lots of teams pass out from the back and fewer are hitting long balls, which is borne out in the statistics.
—Nick Miller, The Athletic, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for instinct 
Valerie Mesa, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025
This is a very rare crime, and the fact that two women on the row had been convicted of it felt like a dark confirmation of the power of the maternal instinct.
—Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
For now, the best advice is probably to follow your instincts.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 9 Feb. 2025
The instinct is to say that lots of teams pass out from the back and fewer are hitting long balls, which is borne out in the statistics.
—Nick Miller, The Athletic, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for instinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinct
Noun
-
Poppies have a tendency to self-sow or naturalize in the garden.—
Joshua Siskin,
Orange County Register,
15 Feb. 2025
-
The enclosures surround the vehicles’ lithium ion batteries, which have a tendency to spontaneously ignite at extremely hot temperatures that are difficult for firefighters to suppress.—
Katherine Love,
Forbes,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Each new hunt throws a curveball to keep things challenging while teaching you basic controls and combat skills.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
11 Feb. 2025
-
During a short but very memorable run on The Traitors season 3, Bob the Drag Queen unexpectedly opened the library to read Zac Efron's acting skills, and now the RuPaul's Drag Race star is opening the film archive to explain why.—
Jillian Sederholm,
EW.com,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
But Trump has shown no inclination to adhere to the separation of powers that gives a lead role to Congress.—
David G. Savage,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2025
-
Western inclinations were prevalent, especially in the tiny floral details that were emblazoned throughout the number.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
His music and message remain fueled by his radical impulses, along with his lifelong obsession with rock, folk, and hip-hop.—
Steve Appleford,
SPIN,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Martin, who at this point knows just how selfish and destructive Tomas is, caves to his worst impulses and tops him silly.—
Samantha Allen,
Them,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Police Conley noted two instances for which Colbert was charged with drugging another person, once in Nevada in 2022 and another time in Jefferson Parish, La., though the chief did not provide details on either incident or information of the disposition of those cases.—
Liam Quinn,
People.com,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Had there been any discipline, the final disposition of discipline and specific reasons for the discipline would have been public data under state law.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
31 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to instinct
Thesaurus Entries Near instinct
Cite this Entry
“Instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinct. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share