ADJ
deep, powerful, strong | gut
first, initial
My initial instinct was to say no, but then I reconsidered the job offer.
good, unerring
My good instinct told me not to trust that stranger, so I walked away quickly.
base | basic | natural | primitive | creative | aggressive, competitive | maternal, mothering, protective
fighting, hunting, killer, predatory
A good salesman needs a strong hunting instinct to find new customers and close deals.
survival
herd
Many teenagers follow fashion trends because of their natural herd instinct to belong with friends.
sexual | business, commercial, political | animal, human
VERB + INSTINCT
have | lack
develop
Good teachers develop an instinct for knowing when their students need extra help.
follow, go on, obey, rely on, trust
When you're unsure what to do, it's often best to trust your instinct.
ignore, suppress | satisfy
appeal to
Good parents try not to appeal to their children's instinct to compete with one another.
share
The two sisters shared a protective instinct toward their younger brother.
INSTINCT + VERB
tell sb sth
My instinct told me that something was wrong the moment he walked in.
guide sb
Her instinct guided her to trust the stranger, even though her friends warned her against it.
take over
When the child fell toward the water, his survival instinct took over and he grabbed the nearest branch.
be right/wrong
My first instinct was wrong about that job interview, but I got the position anyway.
PREP
by ~
The dog found its way home by instinct, even though it had never traveled that road before.
on ~
The experienced driver relied on instinct to avoid the accident.
~ for
She has a real instinct for knowing what customers want before they ask.