instinctual

adjective

as in automatic
done instantly and without conscious thought or decision the birds' instinctual response is to fly away when startled

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of instinctual The downside is that these shifts are not situations where instinctual actions are superfluous. — ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026 The monarchs’ feats of navigation are enabled by their internal technology, a set of instinctual tools that in some ways surpasses our understanding. — Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026 When someone’s raging at you, two phrases seem almost instinctual to say. — Angela Haupt, Time, 16 July 2026 In her speech, Swift reflected on her career, the instinctual nature of her songwriting, and trusting her own voice. — Bryan West, USA Today, 12 June 2026 The instinctual Moon in your 1st House of Identity conjoins tender Chiron there, asking you to lead by naming a need without armor. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026 Sprints are chaotic and instinctual, for all the planning that can be done, decisions have to be made on feeling, with risk, at speeds topping out at around 80kph. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 9 May 2026 This was an instinctual work, mined from decades of memory. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026 Gukesh has a maturity that seems connected to his openness to instinctual play, and to his awareness of the depth and power of human feeling. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinctual
  1. automatic
  2. mechanical
  3. instinctive
  4. reflex
  5. spontaneous
  6. mechanic
  7. robotic
  8. sudden
Adjective
  • Without congressional action, that would mean an automatic reduction in benefits.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
  • It's got plenty of helpful features, such as automatic two-sided printing as well as copy and scan capabilities.
    — George Yang, PC Magazine, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of automatic
Adjective
  • Changing configuration with no external wiring The development depends on a quirk of physics called mechanical bifurcation, which is a sudden shift in structural behavior past a physical tipping point.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The study describes the recovered cotton and spandex as structurally intact, but that does not by itself establish whether the fibers retain the mechanical performance necessary for textile-to-textile reuse.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of mechanical
Adjective
  • First presented at the tail end of sessions for 2023’s In Times New Roman, it was captured on the second of just two takes, preserving a loose, instinctive performance from Homme, Troy Van Leeuwen, Michael Shuman, Dean Fertita and Jon Theodore.
    — Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 25 Aug. 2026
  • But there is a place at the next level for an instinctive playmaker like him.
    — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of instinctive
Adjective
  • Padmini smiled, though this appeared more reflex than friendliness.
    — Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
  • One breath, just long enough to let the reflex pass and judgment catch up.
    — Alfonso Cahero, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of reflex
Adjective
  • Because of spontaneous and piezoelectric polarization in its crystal structure, GaN heterostructures can naturally induce extremely thin sheets of mobile electrons and holes.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • With a vehicle this size, 180 hp isn't exactly a recipe for spontaneous joy.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of spontaneous
Adjective
  • There are exceptions and one is Hig (Elordi), who before the virus hit was a mechanic living a good life with his pregnant wife and new puppy.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Many drivers don't want to deal with mechanic shop visits, diagnosing vehicle issues, and consistent part failure and replacement.
    — Charles Singh, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of mechanic
Adjective
  • Rather than designing an entirely new robotic counter-drone vehicle, the companies combined an existing robotic platform with an existing sensing and electronic warfare capability.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The monsters of the original — the Cyclops and the sirens — are replaced by drones that buzz across the stage and models of robotic war machines.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of robotic
Adjective
  • Officials are still investigating the exact cause, though preliminary assessments suggest an ice avalanche may have blocked a river upstream in Tibet, triggering the sudden outburst flood.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The concierge can be contacted via WhatsApp, but response times can be slow during varying rush hours; for example, a sudden tropical rainstorm might inspire half the resort to call in for room service.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of sudden

Browse Nearby Words

instincts
instinctual
institute
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Cite this Entry

“Instinctual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinctual. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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