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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of instincts
Ask questions and trust your instincts when dealing with authority figures, institutions or legal matters.
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Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
But your instincts about this job are right.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 21 Oct. 2024
While oxytocin deepens emotional intimacy, vasopressin strengthens commitment and protective instincts.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Consequently, our evolutionary instincts—while protective in nature—may drive us to take drastic measures.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Jung used this concept to refer to a part of the mind shared by all humans, containing instincts, memories, and ideas that are passed from one generation to another.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2024
Producer Bonnie Arnold is also along for the ride, bringing her upbeat instincts to the mix.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 19 Oct. 2024
Not Trusting Your Gut A decisive leader knows how to trust their instincts.
—Cara Heilmann, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
Two instincts that grow as the evenings darken are the inclination to have a tipple in the evening and to watch a good film.
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
But your instincts about this job are right.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 21 Oct. 2024
While oxytocin deepens emotional intimacy, vasopressin strengthens commitment and protective instincts.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Consequently, our evolutionary instincts—while protective in nature—may drive us to take drastic measures.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Jung used this concept to refer to a part of the mind shared by all humans, containing instincts, memories, and ideas that are passed from one generation to another.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2024
Producer Bonnie Arnold is also along for the ride, bringing her upbeat instincts to the mix.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 19 Oct. 2024
Not Trusting Your Gut A decisive leader knows how to trust their instincts.
—Cara Heilmann, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
Two instincts that grow as the evenings darken are the inclination to have a tipple in the evening and to watch a good film.
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instincts
Noun
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The program first asked me to complete a series of multiple-choice questions asking broadly quizzing my personality tendencies.Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 3 Oct. 2024
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The solar eclipse in Libra urges us to bring balance into our lives and relinquish codependent tendencies.Lisa Stardust, refinery29.com, 1 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Hardware design also requires specific skills, which means hiring and building the necessary product and engineering organizations within a company.Jim Pursley, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
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This approach enabled the robots to develop highly effective climbing skills more quickly and efficiently.Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2024
Noun
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The percentages for other political inclinations were not as high but still represented a majority, including 86% of independent and third-party respondents, and 74% of Republicans.Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2024
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Even back then, her criminal inclinations were evident.Alexei Navalny, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Megalopolis is stuck between being Coppola’s ultimate film maudit and a hectic romanticization of Hollywood’s casual social impulses.Armond White, National Review, 4 Oct. 2024
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And while none of them can be overlooked, The Last Dangerous Visions stands as a testament to Harlan’s best impulses.Jason Sheehan, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near instincts
Cite this Entry
“Instincts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instincts. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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