as in automatic
done instantly and without conscious thought or decision
the birds' instinctual response is to fly away when startled
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinctual
Adjective
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Not all employees have an automatic right to appeal.—
Medora Lee,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025 -
If passed, Maryland can use automatic money returns for claims under $5,000.—
Scott Taylor,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In 2023, more than 200 passengers were stuck at a military base in remote Canada for over 21 hours after a Delta flight traveling from Amsterdam to Detroit, Michigan, experienced a mechanical issue and needed to make an emergency landing.—
Kris Van Cleave,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2025
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As the final stage began, Austin Hill experienced a mechanical issue with leaking fluid.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The feline's movement can trigger instinctive responses in dogs as a natural self-preservation mechanism.—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
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His goal catalogue is varied, with plenty of instinctive snapshots with either foot plus an aerial threat.—
Roshane Thomas,
The Athletic,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Common triggers include dehydration from illness, vasovagal syncope—a reflex response to nausea or pain—abnormal heart rhythms, and heart valve conditions such as aortic stenosis.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
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The reflex reaction might well be, What exactly have the governor and fellow Democrats been doing for the previous six years?—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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There’s certainly a spirit of lively, spontaneous community in the film’s ensemble of screen newcomers, all cast from the region and fluent in its distinctive Henan dialect, who collectively contribute a vital air of careworn, lived-in human texture to proceedings.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
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Luna will also meet with electric Uranus in an exhilarating trine, shaking things up with a spontaneous trip or a philosophical conversation that sparks a new romantic connection.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Harroun installed it with a bracket above the dashboard rather than have a mechanic ride in the race with him, as was the custom of the day.—
George Petras,
USA TODAY,
24 May 2024
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When Part 4 was released in August 2023, mechanic Bennie was losing his garage.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
The Indianapolis Star,
17 Apr. 2024
Adjective
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In his speech, Krishna also pointed to Shannon’s work building robotic mice that solved mazes as an example of his enjoyment of play within his research.—
Ayesha Javed,
TIME,
10 Feb. 2025
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The Wrong Trousers centers on suspicious penguin Feathers McGraw, who moves in with the duo and hatches a nefarious plan for the robotic Techno Trousers that Wallace has invented to walk Gromit.—
Ryan Gajewski,
The Hollywood Reporter,
9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Release date, cast, more Queen Latifah, Adrien Brody, Kerry Washington, more stars flock to Thom Browne's NYFW show 'Really bummed out:' Beverly Ortega explains sudden departure from 'The Bachelor' When is WorldPride Music Festival 2025?—
Anthony Robledo,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
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At least one judge has already found that the administration did defy his order on the reversal of the wide-ranging and sudden federal funding freeze.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Instinctual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinctual. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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