as in overambitiousness
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Recent Examples of killer instinct
Corey Lay What to know: Beloved in the game for her cheery demeanor and never-quit attitude, Big T Fazakerley is a solid competitor who may not have the killer instinct required for a win.
—
Randall Colburn, EW.com, 31 Jan. 2025
Peter observed that Min Ho appeared to still have feelings for Kitty and reminded her that her killer instinct for matchmaking is her superpower.
—Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 17 Jan. 2025
Under head coach Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles has found its killer instinct and will try to implement it here.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Other than that, the skills required — steely nerves, killer instincts, ruthless ambition — are remarkably similar.
—Benjamin Svetkey, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for killer instinct
Randall Colburn, EW.com, 31 Jan. 2025
Peter observed that Min Ho appeared to still have feelings for Kitty and reminded her that her killer instinct for matchmaking is her superpower.
—Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 17 Jan. 2025
Under head coach Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles has found its killer instinct and will try to implement it here.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Other than that, the skills required — steely nerves, killer instincts, ruthless ambition — are remarkably similar.
—Benjamin Svetkey, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for killer instinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for killer instinct
Noun
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While there are a few unspoken rules for the main course—most people stick to the classic protein, starch, and vegetable combo—appetizers can be practically anything.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2025
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Fernandez will wear the same starch blue color as Tiafoe with her Power Pivot Training Tank and Perforated Narrow Waistband Tennis Skirt.—
Tim Newcomb,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Perhaps no other artist has better succeeded at capturing Rio’s exuberant blend of maximalism and grit.—
Grace Edquist,
Vogue,
6 Mar. 2025
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If anything, the Rainbow tracks illustrate the youthful grit with which Yes combined their virtuoso tendencies onstage with a certain in-your-face raggedness.—
Ernesto Lechner,
Rolling Stone,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The winners likewise offered less spark and spunk than in many of the Oscars' best years.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA TODAY,
3 Mar. 2025
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Forever proud of her Irish heritage that provided her with spunk and beauty.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The only ones showed any gumption were the two women (Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska).—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Feb. 2025
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The first requires precision and consistency; the second, gumption and a dash of luck.—
Derrik Klassen,
The Athletic,
8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Yes, Republicans have been getting an earful from their districts, but those skirmishes are going to look perfectly benign compared to what a vindictive Trump could unleash for lawmakers who show too much pluck.—
Philip Elliott,
TIME,
25 Feb. 2025
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In 2015, an exceedingly polite, marmalade-slurping fellow in a floppy felt hat and blue duffel coat arrived in theaters and offered an uplifting story about tolerance and pluck.—
Brooks Barnes,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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So something to the spirit of that is really speaking to me.—
David Kinne,
EW.com,
24 Feb. 2025
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Its current World of Whiskey theme examines a variety of takes on the spirit from around the world and is $175 per person.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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This article is part of a De Los initiative to expand coverage of the Inland Empire with funding from the Cultivating Inland Empire Latino Opportunity (CIELO) Fund at the Inland Empire Community Foundation.—
Daniel Eduardo Hernandez,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2025
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In 2018, after the Wave project was killed, Fort Lauderdale included the one-way pairs project as part of Broward County’s transportation surtax referendum initiative.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Despite these roadblocks, China is working on domestic AI chip alternatives, aiming for technological self-reliance.—
Vazgen Harutyunyan,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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Once a year, thousands of people flock to the playa of Nevada’s Black Rock Desert and set up camp in Black Rock City, a temporary city built on the festival’s guiding principles of self-reliance, inclusion and self-expression.—
Andrea Agostini Ferrer,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Killer instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killer%20instinct. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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