Meaning

A natural or inherent impulse or behaviour..

Definitions by Sense

1. A natural or inherent impulse or behaviour.
2. An intuitive reaction not based on rational conscious thought.
3. (archaic) Imbued, charged (with something).

Example Sentences

Many animals fear fire by instinct.

By a divine instinct, men's minds mistrust / Ensuing dangers.

In spite of these qualifications, the broad distinction between instinct and habit is undeniable. To take extreme cases, every animal at birth can take food by instinct, before it has had opportunity to learn; on the other hand, no one can ride a bicycle by instinct, though, after learning, the necessary movements become just as automatic as if they were instinctive.

an instinct for order; to be modest by instinct

Debbie's instinct was to distrust John.

The chariot of paternal deity […] / Itself instinct with spirit, but convoyed / By four cherubic shapes.

a noble performance, instinct with sound principle

Her eyes, whose colour I had not at first known, so dim were they with repressed tears, so shadowed with ceaseless dejection, now, lit by a ray of the sunshine that cheered her heart, revealed irids of bright hazel – irids large and full, screened with long lashes; and pupils instinct with fire.

Word Forms

• instincts
• more instinct
• most instinct

Synonyms for instinct

Related Words

When Should You Use Instinct?

Use instinct when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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