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instinctive urge

[ɪnˈstɪŋktɪv ɜːrdʒ]
nounpl: instinctive urges
impulso instintivo
1. A natural, involuntary desire or drive that arises from basic instinct rather than conscious thought
The mother felt an instinctive urge to protect her child from danger.
A mãe sentiu um impulso instintivo de proteger seu filho do perigo.
2. An innate compulsion or inclination to act in a certain way without deliberation
He had an instinctive urge to run away when he saw the aggressive dog.
Ele tinha um impulso instintivo de fugir quando viu o cachorro agressivo.
NYC Slang
gut feeling / primal vibe
Synonyms
instinctive drivenatural impulseinnate desireprimal urgebasic instinct
Antonyms
rational decisiondeliberate choiceconscious intentionthoughtful action

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
impulso instintivo
Most common usage across Brazil
São Paulo
impulso instintivo / vontade instintiva
Both forms are equally used
Rio de Janeiro
impulso instintivo
Standard usage
Portugal
impulso instintivo / ímpeto instintivo
Ímpeto instintivo is also common in European Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

follow one's instincts
act on impulse
gut reaction
second nature
knee-jerk reaction
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