instinct

[US]/ˈɪnstɪŋkt/
[UK]/ˈɪnstɪŋkt/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

n. innate behavior or inherent inclination
adj. filled with.

Phrases & Collocations

by instinct

instinct for

on instinct

killer instinct

maternal instinct

animal instinct

basic instinct

herd instinct

Example Sentences

an instinct for tact and diplomacy.

be instinct with life and beauty

words instinct with love.

Suckling is an instinct in mammals.

instinct told her not to ask the question.

these canvases are instinct with passion.

The nesting instinct is proper to birds.

the spawning instinct in salmon; altruistic instincts in social animals.

Instinct led the pigeons back to the roost.

the electorate's baser instincts of greed and selfishness.

Juliet's first instinct was to hide under the blankets.

as Greek instinct or ingrown habit would have dictated.

his instinct for making the most of his chances.

these instincts are, in man, reified as verbal constructs.

she managed to subdue an instinct to applaud.

by untaught instinct they know that scent means food.

animal instincts and desires.See Synonyms at brute

Both superpowers shared the same instinct for self-preservation.

his willingness to prostitute himself to the worst instincts of the electorate.

Real-world Examples

Struggling for survival is a human instinct.

Source: Sixth-level vocabulary frequency weekly plan

President Trump has repeatedly displayed protectionist instincts.

Source: BBC Listening Collection December 2017

Music engages the instincts, drives, and senses.

Source: Tales of Imagination and Creativity

Or was he just following his instincts?

Source: Bilingual Edition of TED-Ed Selected Speeches

Because as humans we have a fidgeting instinct.

Source: 6 Minute English

Fear of the unknown is a common instinct.

Source: Lai Shixiong Advanced English Vocabulary 3500

I'll appeal to his baser instincts, of which he has plenty.

Source: Charlotte's Web

He seemed to have an instinct about the cards. It was uncanny.

Source: New Version of University English Comprehensive Course 4

Professor Connor went on to talk about our fidgeting instinct.

Source: 6 Minute English

I liked your prep questions. Stick with your first instinct.

Source: Out of Control Season 3

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