instinct

1 of 2

noun

in·​stinct ˈin-ˌstiŋ(k)t How to pronounce instinct (audio)
1
: a natural or inherent aptitude, impulse, or capacity
had an instinct for the right word
2
a
: a largely inheritable and unalterable tendency of an organism to make a complex and specific response to environmental stimuli without involving reason
b
: behavior that is mediated by reactions below the conscious level
instinctual
in-ˈstiŋ(k)-chə-wəl How to pronounce instinct (audio)
-chəl
-shwəl
-chü-əl
adjective
instinctually adverb

instinct

2 of 2

adjective

1
: profoundly imbued : infused
my mood, instinct with romanceS. J. Perelman
2
obsolete : impelled by an inner or animating or exciting agency

Examples of instinct in a Sentence

Noun Our first instinct was to run. Cats possess a natural hunting instinct. Seeing the baby aroused all her maternal instincts. He has been guided throughout his career by his political instincts. Mere instinct alerted her to the danger. He knew by instinct what not to say. She seemed to know by instinct that something was wrong. He has a strong survival instinct. an athlete with good instincts
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
This signals Sandler’s singular ethnic instincts (a subject worth future study). Armond White, National Review, 8 Mar. 2024 Phoebe Wall Howard Ford CEO Jim Farley predicted last year that hybrid vehicles would play a key role in driving sales, and the latest consumer data shows his instincts were spot on. Detroit Free Press, 4 Mar. 2024 Winslet’s empathy — a protective instinct that extends to her characters — is part of what makes her performances so powerful. Susan Dominus, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024 Many decisions and arguments are still driven by gut and instinct with a lack of data. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Despite animals’ instincts to roam, officials continue to enforce boundaries on wildlife and believe rules ultimately protect and support the conservation of endangered species. Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 1 Mar. 2024 Cats have a natural hunting instinct that can disrupt ecosystems by killing birds, which can lead to imbalances in predator-prey dynamics, Indiana Audubon’s Whitney Yoerger said. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Feb. 2024 Indeed, the same instinct is seen in many other countries. Peter E. Harrell, Foreign Affairs, 26 Feb. 2024 This is where Havertz and his attacking instincts have been really important for Arsenal in recent weeks with Arteta doing more and more to build around the 24-year-old. Graham Ruthven, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024
Adjective
Weber had taken a CPR course in high school, and somehow instinct took over. Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024 However, there’s still something to be said for what that gut feeling, instinct, or intuition can tell you. Rhett Power, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024 Kelce said being on the same wavelength with his quarterback was borne of work and practice reps which over time became instinct. Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2024 So with nothing to go on but instinct, Mom ended up sending us a beautiful, handmade, heirloom-quality [thingy]. Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 27 Dec. 2023 In the early days of hedge funds, so much trading was based on whim, instinct, and vaguely divinatory practices like tape reading, so called after the ticker tape used to transmit trades via telegraph. Tarpley Hitt, The New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2023 Vocal learning is the ability to produce new sounds by imitating others, relying on experience rather than instinct. Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Popular Science, 14 Sep. 2023 That’s pretty common, particularly among great coaches and their players, that there is a paternal, fatherly instinct. J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 20 Aug. 2023 Annalise Caron, a clinical psychologist who runs an initiative dedicated to parenting, understands the instinct parents have to seek community. Fortesa Latifi, Washington Post, 11 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'instinct.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Latin instinctus impulse, from instinguere to incite; akin to Latin instigare to instigate

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of instinct was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near instinct

Cite this Entry

“Instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instinct. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

instinct

noun
in·​stinct
ˈin-ˌstiŋ(k)t
1
: a natural ability or inclination
2
a
: an act or course of action in response to a stimulus that is usually inherited and is automatic rather than learned
b
: behavior that is based on automatic actions

Medical Definition

instinct

noun
in·​stinct ˈin-ˌstiŋ(k)t How to pronounce instinct (audio)
1
: a largely inheritable and unalterable tendency of an organism to make a complex and specific response to environmental stimuli without involving reason
2
: behavior that is mediated by reactions below the conscious level
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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