as in overambitiousness
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Recent Examples of killer instinct
Savinho, who Guardiola said on Wednesday could miss up to two months with injury, and Oscar Bobb do not quite have the killer instinct in the final third yet, either.
—
Sam Lee, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
But not everyone has that same killer instinct.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Dec. 2025
One quality that distinguishes the very best chess players is killer instinct, an almost animalistic will to win.
—Jordan Himelfarb, Time, 15 Dec. 2025
Some in the organization have voiced the opinion that the Padres need to have more of a collective killer instinct and that getting more consistency out of some star players could help achieve that.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for killer instinct
Sam Lee, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
But not everyone has that same killer instinct.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Dec. 2025
One quality that distinguishes the very best chess players is killer instinct, an almost animalistic will to win.
—Jordan Himelfarb, Time, 15 Dec. 2025
Some in the organization have voiced the opinion that the Padres need to have more of a collective killer instinct and that getting more consistency out of some star players could help achieve that.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for killer instinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for killer instinct
Noun
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Less-ripe bananas contain resistant starch, which slows digestion and may improve glucose handling.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
17 June 2026
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The starch in potatoes does the same.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
Noun
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Rinsing them thoroughly helps keep these unfortunate extras off your plate, and also improves the flavor and texture of the peaches by removing any unwanted grit.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
14 June 2026
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The Knicks’ grit in the Finals was not a fluke.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
13 June 2026
Noun
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Hsu’s voice performance also gives Kristen spunk in these scenes, while Sharpe brings an unexpected vulnerability to AJ.—
Marya E. Gates,
IndieWire,
13 May 2026
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She was known among her neighbors for her generosity and spunk — and among her relatives for stubborn refusal to leave Bellevue Square, her home of 54 years, The Courant reported in 1997.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As Riese observed in an excellent round-up from Autostraddle, this magazine was best known for a certain gumption.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
15 June 2026
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The Invest in Kids program was allowed to sunset at the end of 2023 because our legislators did not even have the gumption to bring the issue to the floor.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
Noun
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The opening acoustic guitar plucks were full in the lower frequencies while showing enough treble finesse to convey fine string texture.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
14 June 2026
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With every pluck, the strings seem to vibrate in the air in front of you, blurring like bees’ wings.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
4 June 2026
Noun
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The Moroccan American Council fosters cultural traditions and community spirit, and the South Florida chapter formed after Morocco opened a consulate in Miami two years ago, one of just two in the United States, along with New York City.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
14 June 2026
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The bad news for The Bold And The Beautiful and The Young & The Restless fans is that no talent from those series will cross over to Hollywood Starlet, but Bell said the vertical series will capture the spirit of those shows, in turn swerving some less savory elements in some microdrama.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
14 June 2026
Noun
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The new partnership marks the most ambitious collaboration between HRTS and Easterseals Disability Services to date, with the organizations previously joining forces on numerous initiatives aiming to improve accessibility in the entertainment industry and authentic representation on screen.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
18 June 2026
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This article is part of The Times’ early childhood education initiative, focusing on the learning and development of California children from birth to age 5.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Noun
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When the family moved from Ohio after his freshman year, Klugo’s self-reliance helped elevate the tennis team.—
Liana Handler
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
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As America celebrates 250 years, the West's vast landscape sets a stunning backdrop for the nation's history of expansion, self-reliance and opportunity.—
Alia Beard Rau,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Killer instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killer%20instinct. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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