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.

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

Within industries, as a supply-chain crisis unfolds, fear and self-protection instincts kick in, with hoarding and company-level stockpiling resulting in confusing demand signals that make it hard for upstream producers to respond.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026

And so looking back, you can see how I was tiptoeing around and it took a little moment before they really let me just let what my instincts were telling me to do, fly.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

If predecessor Gareth Southgate was criticised for being cloaked in conservatism and playing it safe, Tuchel's iron will in following his instincts has now effectively positioned himself as the anti-Southgate.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

“I’ll appeal to his baser instincts, of which he has plenty. Here he comes now. Everybody keep quiet while I put the matter up to him!”

From "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White