as in automatic
done instantly and without conscious thought or decision
the birds' instinctual response is to fly away when startled
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Recent Examples of instinctual
In her speech, Swift reflected on her career, the instinctual nature of her songwriting, and trusting her own voice.
—
Bryan West, USA Today, 12 June 2026
The instinctual Moon in your 1st House of Identity conjoins tender Chiron there, asking you to lead by naming a need without armor.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026
What Natalie does seem driven by—more than faith, more than redirected ambition—is her instinctual loathing of other women.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
Sprints are chaotic and instinctual, for all the planning that can be done, decisions have to be made on feeling, with risk, at speeds topping out at around 80kph.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 9 May 2026
This was an instinctual work, mined from decades of memory.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
Gukesh has a maturity that seems connected to his openness to instinctual play, and to his awareness of the depth and power of human feeling.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
The rest of Kennard’s learning has been through conversations with coaches, film study and instinctual play on the court.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Even voluntary music response seems to have an instinctual aspect.
—Jesse Greenspan, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026
Bryan West, USA Today, 12 June 2026
The instinctual Moon in your 1st House of Identity conjoins tender Chiron there, asking you to lead by naming a need without armor.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026
What Natalie does seem driven by—more than faith, more than redirected ambition—is her instinctual loathing of other women.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
Sprints are chaotic and instinctual, for all the planning that can be done, decisions have to be made on feeling, with risk, at speeds topping out at around 80kph.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 9 May 2026
This was an instinctual work, mined from decades of memory.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
Gukesh has a maturity that seems connected to his openness to instinctual play, and to his awareness of the depth and power of human feeling.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
The rest of Kennard’s learning has been through conversations with coaches, film study and instinctual play on the court.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Even voluntary music response seems to have an instinctual aspect.
—Jesse Greenspan, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinctual
Adjective
-
In the early stages of a relationship, self-expansion is largely automatic, as new partners are most inclined at this point to learn about each other’s unfamiliar interests, social circles, habits and ideas.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
Under Texas election law, an automatic recount occurs only in the case of a tie; otherwise, a candidate must formally request one.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2026
-
Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 June 2026
Adjective
-
Asked about her next project after the masterclass, Mumenthaler again described the process as instinctive.—
Emiliano de Pablos,
Variety,
13 June 2026
-
Conversations want courage as instinctive Moon in your 3rd House of Communication conjoins warrior Mars there, urging clear words with soft edges.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
Wyle listened to the two women’s breathing and administered a reflex test on their knees.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
8 May 2026
-
That reflex delays care and erodes trust.—
Liz Koch,
STAT,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Venus and Uranus’ harmonious connection encourages you to be spontaneous.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
-
Left unmanaged, coal waste routinely triggers water contamination, airborne dust pollution, and spontaneous fires.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
Their maternal grandfather was a race-car driver and mechanic, and their father was a photographer for Street Chopper Magazine.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
From a young Ron Howard as Andy’s son Opie to Jim Nabors as the well-meaning mechanic Gomer Pyle, the show launched careers and spinoffs, won awards, and carved out a permanent place in pop-culture history.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
Traditional robotic work cells often require complete shutdowns when workers enter restricted areas, creating downtime that can accumulate across large manufacturing operations.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
19 June 2026
-
In addition to refining scientific models for the Martian environment, NASA plans to use the data to reduce risks to future robotic and crewed missions landing on Mars' surface.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
Authorities said that in the days leading up to her disappearance, Moore exhibited behavior that was out of character, including a sudden absence and an abrupt change in social media presence, according to ABC News.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
-
His sudden passing has left his wife, Pamela, to raise their two children alone, Melissa Lynch, a family friend wrote in a GoFundMe campaign statement.—
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instinctual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinctual. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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