killer instinct

noun

: an aggressive tenacious urge for domination in a struggle to attain a set goal

Examples of killer instinct in a Sentence

Her killer instincts have helped her become one of the top tennis players in the world.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
There’s really only one way to prove a killer instinct. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2025 Success ‘is only possible with people that are not rigid’ For Kaufman, a killer instinct is a deep sense of the mission of the company. Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2025 Piastri showed the killer instinct required to win championships at Monza, Hungary and Baku last year but suffered from inconsistency. Rob Reed, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 Norris is a one-lap specialist who struggles with starts and lacks the killer instinct to challenge Verstappen. Rob Reed, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for killer instinct

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of killer instinct was in 1931

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Cite this Entry

“Killer instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/killer%20instinct. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on killer instinct

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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