instinct
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Don’t run because it could trigger the animal’s chase instinct.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
When a 19-year-old college student loses a bet, the instinct is rarely to walk away.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026
He said: "My first instinct is that it's a hoax message or she'd been hacked."
From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026
His first presidential campaign in 2016 was marked by a feral but highly developed gut instinct for what the public wanted, or at least what it thought it wanted.
From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026
Moss’s body wouldn’t move at first, but when he saw the reporters scurrying in his direction, his instinct kicked in.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
![]()
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.