as in automatic
done instantly and without conscious thought or decision
the instinctive reaction of a mother is to protect her children
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instinctive
To be a nation founded on an ideal makes our love of country a more vital force than any instinctive pieties of blood and soil.
—
Ann Manov,
Harpers Magazine,
23 June 2026
The instinctive response to AI risk is to restrict it, to block tools, limit access or shut it down entirely.
—
Syed Ali,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
The instinctive Moon in your 12th House of Solitude opposes dreamy Neptune in your 6th House of Work and Wellness, so rest and tasks tug hard.
—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
22 June 2026
Neptune is the planet of dreams, illusions, compassion and confusion, while Aries is instinctive, impulsive and fiercely independent.
—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for instinctive
Ann Manov,
Harpers Magazine,
23 June 2026
The instinctive response to AI risk is to restrict it, to block tools, limit access or shut it down entirely.
—
Syed Ali,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
The instinctive Moon in your 12th House of Solitude opposes dreamy Neptune in your 6th House of Work and Wellness, so rest and tasks tug hard.
—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
22 June 2026
Neptune is the planet of dreams, illusions, compassion and confusion, while Aries is instinctive, impulsive and fiercely independent.
—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for instinctive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinctive
Adjective
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The clinical version dates to research in the 1960s and 1970s, when devices tracked heart rate variability, muscle tension and skin temperature to help people regulate what was once considered automatic.
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The Disciplinary Code states that a sending off or automatic suspension can only be challenged if it was issued to the wrong player.
Adjective
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Passive cooling, according to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, refers to ways to lower the indoor temperature that don’t necessarily require mechanical technology, like AC.
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The pool did not open Saturday with the city's other outdoor pools after mechanical problems delayed the start of the season for the second consecutive year.
Adjective
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As the session continues, Atlas’s movements appear increasingly fluid, suggesting the system is being evaluated not only for strength but also for agility, reflex response, and adaptive motor control.
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Wyle listened to the two women’s breathing and administered a reflex test on their knees.
Adjective
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First, bringing tried-and-true basics allows for spontaneous styling, rather than trying to plan every outfit ahead of time.
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The spontaneous pregnancy was so rare that even some medical professionals struggled to explain its odds.
Adjective
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In her speech, Swift reflected on her career, the instinctual nature of her songwriting, and trusting her own voice.
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The instinctual Moon in your 1st House of Identity conjoins tender Chiron there, asking you to lead by naming a need without armor.
Adjective
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It’s equipped with about 20 feet (6 meters) of solar panels and a trio of robotic arms designed to grab Swift.
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The nation has put people on the moon, helped build and operate a long-running space station in low Earth orbit (LEO) and sent fleets of robotic explorers to many corners of the solar system — and even beyond it, into interstellar space.
Adjective
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Thankfully, a mechanic shop was a short drive away.
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Smoke invades their businesses, even their sleep Inside MV Automotive at East Olympic Boulevard and Alma Avenue, Manny Villasenor, whose father owns the mechanic shop, said the smoke had forced him to close earlier.
Cite this Entry
“Instinctive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinctive. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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