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
That instinct to hold onto her wardrobe has paid off as trends resurface, allowing the actress to revisit and reinterpret earlier looks.
—
Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
While limited-government instincts seem to have atrophied for many Republicans, Duffy has retained the good sense of opposing government bailouts for private companies.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 3 May 2026
The Moon enters your sign and activates your 1st House of Self, putting your instincts and direction front and center.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
Always ready with the right baseball, the right toss, the right instinct.
—Peter Folan, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for instinct
Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
While limited-government instincts seem to have atrophied for many Republicans, Duffy has retained the good sense of opposing government bailouts for private companies.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 3 May 2026
The Moon enters your sign and activates your 1st House of Self, putting your instincts and direction front and center.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
Always ready with the right baseball, the right toss, the right instinct.
—Peter Folan, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for instinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinct
Noun
-
There's generally a tendency for organizations to focus too much on measuring or tracking input or activity, as opposed to output.—
Kristina Rex,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
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His playoff history and tendency to let up weak goals do raise some red flags.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The two-time Mirrorball winner was seen leaping high into the air and showed off her skills by performing a series of tricks including frontflips and backflips.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
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This will be followed by a final period in Florence to learn the technique and historical evolution of egg tempera, to acquire ancient handweaving skills and expand her knowledge of its applications in the ecclesiastic context.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
Noun
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Specifically, the inclination of consumers to search for lower prices during a spike.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
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Like des Esseintes’s inclination toward the antiquated, Carly’s taste for vintage kitsch runs retro-romantic.—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
We’re constantly told that the internet highlights our most selfish, divided or angry impulses.—
Simon Rogers,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
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The minimalist impulse extends to the new mechanical and electrical systems.—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Every one of those cases, there's an indictment and then eventually there is a trial or some sort of disposition.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
3 May 2026
-
The report and final disposition memos were released by the Sheriff’s Office this week.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinct. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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