instincts

noungut feeling, idea

Synonyms for instincts

noun gut feeling, idea

Antonyms for instincts

Word Origin & History

early 15c., "a prompting," from Latin instinctus "instigation, impulse," noun use of past participle of instinguere "to incite, impel," from in- "on" (see in- (2)) + stinguere "prick, goad," from PIE *steig- "to prick, stick, pierce" (see stick (v.)). Meaning "animal faculty of intuitive perception" is from mid-15c., from notion of "natural prompting." Sense of "innate tendency" is first recorded 1560s.

Example Sentences for instincts

He had all the instincts of the hunted to seek cover, and the night was his friend.

He had the trained senses and instincts of the Indian hunter.

Old are our instincts and passions about Nature: all are Forest Memories.

As a rule women are much more the slaves of their instincts and habits than men.

And is man less than a cow, that he cannot cultivate his instincts to an equal point?

Their instincts about her must be the strongest, the truest.

It wouldn't be fair to Vera, knowing what we do about Jimmy's instincts.

And in certain moments he had more faith in his instincts than 67 in his reason.

I was a gentleman once and still retain some of the 74 instincts.

He obeyed his instincts, permitting the will of his organism to lead him.