as in automatic
done instantly and without conscious thought or decision
the birds' instinctual response is to fly away when startled
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instinctual
Adjective
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These teams include 29 conference champions who receive automatic berths and 35 at-large teams selected by the NCAA DI Baseball Committee.—
Giovanni Malloy,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025 -
Almost a month later, on June 1, the spacecraft was less than four minutes away from liftoff when the ground launch sequencer — the computer that launches the rocket — triggered an automatic hold.—
Jillian Frankel,
People.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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Most mechanical keyboards use a flat ribbon cable to connect the PCB to the bottom case.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Instead, Agyemang answered with the kind of instinctive finishing that had abandoned Charlotte during its skid.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
25 May 2025
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Intuition might tell you that attraction is a quick, instinctive reaction.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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The Loewe Grand inicio is a powerful two-way speaker with a bass reflex system and is available as a floor-standing speaker.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
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Apart from the reflex response to a jump scare, the purpose of almost any horror movie is to disturb you.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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For travelers looking for nearby, spontaneous adventures, Airbnb’s summer report also shares the top trending domestic destinations among US guests this summer, with unique stays ranging from cozy cabins to beach house retreats.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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Yet for shows like the one in Houston, Erivo is aiming for something looser, more spontaneous, slightly lower-key.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Home in foreclosure, a mobile mechanic Online records show that his Canby Street home was in foreclosure last year and sold in September for $60,000.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
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In the footage, a large coastal carpet python rests on a mechanic shop's floor.—
Kelli Bender,
People.com,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Tianwen 2 marks another step forward in China's ever-advancing, ever-ambitious robotic exploration program.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
29 May 2025
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Though he’s filmed hundreds of interviews, Evans still looks a touch robotic on camera.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Keep a safe distance: Leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
6 June 2025
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Written in Latin, the coroners' rolls are records of sudden or suspicious deaths as investigated by a jury of local men, called together by the coroner to establish facts and reach a verdict.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
6 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Instinctual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instinctual. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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