instincts

NOUN

gut feeling, idea

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aptitude feeling hunch impulse inclination intuition knack savvy sense sentiment talent tendency

STRONG

faculty gift know-how nose predisposition proclivity urge

WEAK

funny feeling gut reaction sixth sense

Antonyms

STRONGEST

inability incapacity lack

STRONG

disinclination

WEAK

knowledge reason

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.

His instincts paid off again, when Houston released her cover of Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You.

From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026

“I think that I have good instincts, but my instincts aren’t any different from anybody that’s living this American experience.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026

Williams' ground-strokes were hit with enough accuracy to keep her in the rallies, while her competitive instincts were as strong as ever.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

If your instincts are telling you that something is off, listen to them.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026

There, the initial instincts of physicians about who was suffering a heart attack weren’t very good.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell