as in tendencies
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 instincts
The forward convert has offensive instincts and is learning on the fly how to translate them to the position at the NHL level.
—
Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
There’s nothing wrong with trusting one’s instincts.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2025
His instincts are second to no one on the roster.
—Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
All agreed Leftwich exhibited great instincts and leadership abilities as a player.
—Mike Jones, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
Those instincts proved correct.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
Yes, recovery is tough and everyone is different but your instincts are valid (and probably right).
—Emily Trainham, Fox News, 29 Dec. 2024
The trickster planet ushers from Aries to Pisces on March 29, encouraging us to set aside our instincts and go with the flow.
—Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 29 Dec. 2024
Cullen also spoke about the balance between his creative instincts and Lloyd Webber’s input.
—Darryn King, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
There’s nothing wrong with trusting one’s instincts.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2025
His instincts are second to no one on the roster.
—Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
All agreed Leftwich exhibited great instincts and leadership abilities as a player.
—Mike Jones, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
Those instincts proved correct.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
Yes, recovery is tough and everyone is different but your instincts are valid (and probably right).
—Emily Trainham, Fox News, 29 Dec. 2024
The trickster planet ushers from Aries to Pisces on March 29, encouraging us to set aside our instincts and go with the flow.
—Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 29 Dec. 2024
Cullen also spoke about the balance between his creative instincts and Lloyd Webber’s input.
—Darryn King, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instincts
Noun
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But his theory seemed to mirror the temperament of Deng, who, for all his reformist tendencies, was a ruthless apparatchik.Chang Che, The New Yorker, 21 Dec. 2024
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Ball-stoppers rarely align with the principles of winning basketball, and Randle’s tendencies are as entrenched as ever.Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Employers want to see proof of your skills, not just hear about them.Sho Dewan, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
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Rather, let your achievements and skills be the standout feature of your resume, not the design.Sho Dewan, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Page counts, while not a precise measure of regulatory burden, do reflect inclinations toward regulatory enthusiams when those are present.Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
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An overwhelming victory would have fed into Modi’s growing authoritarian inclinations, which were on display this year as the Indian government attacked critics at home and abroad — including in the US.Bryan Walsh, Vox, 30 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Resist these impulses by reminding yourself of your long-term goals and the logic behind your plan.True Tamplin, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
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Various progressive impulses and reforms of the Roosevelt and Wilson eras, New Deal programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps, and above all, the Black Freedom Struggle built on and descended from this civic populist legacy.Harry Boyte and Trygve Throntveit, TIME, 4 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near instincts
Cite this Entry
“Instincts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instincts. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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