as in overambitiousness
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Recent Examples of killer instinct
That's down to gardener Harper Starling who protects her home with her killer instincts — literally.
—
Lizz Schumer, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025
But the staging of the fight is awkward, and seems to be going out of its way to protect Wendy, who’s super strong and fast yet doesn’t have any training (nor the killer instincts of her opponent).
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2025
Could Rhodes muster up some killer instinct to put Cena away?
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2025
With a mop of long brown hair and a baby face belying a killer instinct that soon would be seen across the college football world, 18-year-old Kellen Moore would sit without saying a word in the Boise State quarterback meetings.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for killer instinct
Lizz Schumer, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025
But the staging of the fight is awkward, and seems to be going out of its way to protect Wendy, who’s super strong and fast yet doesn’t have any training (nor the killer instincts of her opponent).
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2025
Could Rhodes muster up some killer instinct to put Cena away?
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2025
With a mop of long brown hair and a baby face belying a killer instinct that soon would be seen across the college football world, 18-year-old Kellen Moore would sit without saying a word in the Boise State quarterback meetings.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for killer instinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for killer instinct
Noun
-
Enzymes like amylase break down the starches and sugars into glucose.—
Patty Weasler,
Verywell Health,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Leaving the skin on and roasting or chilling cooked potatoes helps preserve fiber and increase resistant starch for better gut health.—
Lindsey DeSoto,
Health,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But Ben’s defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite — and a threat to the entire system.—
Griff Griffin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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To remove grit, scrub shells well under cold running water.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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People on TikTok were taken by Reagan's sudden spunk.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 July 2025
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Howard preferred simmer to boil, sugar to sass, and never lacked spunk.—
Bob Gendron,
Chicago Tribune,
16 July 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, opponents of zero-defect culture question whether officers who survive in today’s system have the gumption and risk-taking instincts to win the next big war.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
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Fitzgerald’s gumption as a deep field-goal kicker was tested with the Panthers up, 7-0, and having all the momentum.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The judge relented in the face of his daughter’s determination, perhaps more than a little proud of her patriotic pluck.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Aug. 2025
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The opening acoustic guitar plucks get strong low-mid resonance to sound nice and big, while the higher frequencies receive enough attention to convey string texture.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
16 June 2025
Noun
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For bones, spirits, and some menacing dolls, here’s where to go for a fright.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The spirit has strong notes of star anise and caraway, with a range of holiday spices.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Federal investigation reveals wide criminal net Browse the website of Chen’s Prince Group, and the company’s public image is one of charitable endeavors, business accolades and awards for corporate social responsibility initiatives, large donations to anti-Covid efforts, and education programs.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
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That generational focus extends to the Young4Film network, an European initiative dedicated to building bridges between creators and audiences.—
Emiliano De Pablos,
Variety,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Beijing will focus on domestic consumption, self-reliance in technology as well as the agricultural and manufacturing sectors.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
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The Navy said the new submarine was designed and built entirely using domestic technology, underscoring South Korea’s goal of achieving strategic self-reliance in defense manufacturing.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Killer instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killer%20instinct. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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