instincts

NOUN

gut feeling, idea

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aptitude feeling hunch impulse inclination intuition knack savvy sense sentiment talent tendency

STRONG

faculty gift know-how nose predisposition proclivity urge

WEAK

funny feeling gut reaction sixth sense

Antonyms

STRONGEST

inability incapacity lack

STRONG

disinclination

WEAK

knowledge reason

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

instincts

What Huestis wants to see is whether an intern possesses, or can pick up, the instincts to work in a hospital setting.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

As somebody with roots in musical theater, did you have to curtail some of those instincts that you might’ve had to be a little more expressive?

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

Not for the first time, her instincts proved right.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

It was not as though the open air of a farmers market was going to cure my base shopping instincts.

From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026

Fishing was good, but I couldn’t yet bring myself to try swimming again because I stubbornly wanted Togbe to be the one to guide me, with his gentle instincts for the water.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo