instinct of self-preservation

collocation in English

meaningsofinstinctandself-preservation

These words are often used together. Click on the links below to explore the meanings. Or,see other collocations withinstinct.
instinct
noun[C or U]
uk
/ˈɪn.stɪŋkt/us
/ˈɪn.stɪŋkt/
the way people or animals naturally react or behave, without having to think or learn ...
See more atinstinct
self-preservation
noun[U]
uk
/ˌselfˌprez.əˈveɪ.ʃən/us
/ˌselfˌprez.ɚˈveɪ.ʃən/
behaviour based on the characteristics or feelings that warn people or animals to protect themselves from difficulties ...
See more atself-preservation

(Definition ofinstinctandself-preservationfrom theCambridge English Dictionary© Cambridge University Press)

Examplesofinstinct of self-preservation

These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
Theinstinctofself-preservationleads to the most elaborate system of protective mimicry, resulting in a riot of paper-work.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
The simpleinstinctofself-preservationcompels them to take this course.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
But theinstinctofself-preservationis the strongest in all of us.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
To give during war, with theinstinctofself-preservationdriving one on, is one thing.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Theinstinctofself-preservationis so great that they will suffer that and still go down to the tubes.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
As to compulsion, surely in the last resort the compellinginstinctofself-preservationis the hope of our system of national defence.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
They have accused it of acting simply from aninstinctofself-preservation.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Theinstinctofself-preservationhas compelled us to renewed exertions.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It is rather theinstinctofself-preservation, because we know if we do not assert ourselves perhaps we might cease to exist, or be forgotten.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Every movement has theinstinctofself-preservation.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
The explanation is that you cannot, by education, put into a man thatinstinctofself-preservationor that common sense which is at the bottom of success in business.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
When his discussions turn to human beings he introduces aninstinctofself-preservationto account for their motivations.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
Ultimately, he found solace in theinstinctofself-preservation.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
Zeno argued that although the necessaryinstinctofself-preservationleads humans to egotism, nature has supplied a corrective to it by providing man with another instinct sociability.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
But the capitalist may safely leave its fulfilment to the labourer's instincts of self-preservation and of propagation.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
Want to learn more?
Go to the definition ofinstinct
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See other collocations withinstinct