killer instinct

noun

Definition of killer instinctnext
as in overambitiousness

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of killer instinct The entrepreneur and lifestyle icon has built a career out of creating and celebrating beautiful things, but a killer instinct for business is why her career has far outpaced the men’s around her. — Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Mar. 2026 During the third, his killer instinct shifted focus. — Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026 Piastri, 24, showed glimpses of that killer instinct in 2025, finishing third and cementing himself as one of the sport’s best drivers in his third full season. — Roman Stubbs, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2026 UConn is 22-1, has won 18 in a row, is 7-0 in true road games, ranked third in the nation, and the coach is no longer lamenting a lack of killer instinct, but showing the lack of respect card. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for killer instinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for killer instinct
  1. starch
  2. grit
  3. spunk
  4. gumption
  5. pluck
  6. spirit
  7. initiative
  8. self-reliance
Noun
  • Gently pour out liquid from bowl, leaving behind any white starch accumulated at the bottom.
    — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Many foods rich in fiber and starches offer several health benefits.
    — Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of starch
Noun
  • His exceptional talent, determination, and grit will leave a lasting legacy at NASA.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Seafood is the star of the show here—especially the shrimp and grits and crab cakes, which Bernthal says are a must-order.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of grit
Noun
  • But Alcock is no John Wayne or Jeff Bridges, and Ridley lacks the spunk of Kim Darby and Hailee Steinfeld.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 24 June 2026
  • These small, high-energy pups have plenty of spunk and a big heart.
    — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 11 June 2026
Definition of spunk
Noun
  • The friends haven’t seen each other in some time, though Frankie spends many an evening parked outside the hospice in his car, summoning the gumption to visit.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Slight, lightning quick and with mesmerizing ballhanding, Iverson attacked defenses on the perimeter and in the paint with equal parts of fearlessness and relentlessness, guile and gumption.
    — Rob Peterson, New York Times, 26 July 2026
Definition of gumption
Noun
  • But don’t let the relatable career-girl pluck of the movie dilute the fact that this song is pissed off about capitalism, even as its hooks make the grind of working life more bearable.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The opening acoustic guitar plucks were full in the lower frequencies while showing enough treble finesse to convey fine string texture.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 14 June 2026
Definition of pluck
Noun
  • In her latest book, Stay Buried, siblings new to a remote Vermont town discover that the locals live in fear of a vengeful spirit.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 2 Sep. 2026
  • But the legacy of the modernist academic-cultural complex blinds us to the mimetic spirit of this new technical logic.
    — Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of spirit
Noun
  • The park had water conservation initiatives in place even before the latest flooding and damage.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The letter was an initiative of the Venice4Palestine collective, which similarly targeted the festival last year.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of initiative
Noun
  • Their source was the collective enthusiasm of a population that had gone into revolution—a revolution forming committees of social self-reliance in every field.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The music superstar grew up steeped in the ethic of self-reliance.
    — George F. Will, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of self-reliance

Browse Nearby Words

killer
killer instinct
killers
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Killer instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killer%20instinct. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All