What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pulsion
Example
She felt a pulsion to eat the entire cake, even though she knew it was not healthy. [pulsion: noun]
Example
He couldn't resist the pulsion to jump into the water and swim with the dolphins. [pulsion: noun]
instinct
Example
The bird's instinct told it to fly south for the winter. [instinct: noun]
Example
She had an instinct to protect her child from danger. [instinct: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Instinct is more commonly used than pulsion in everyday language. Instinct is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while pulsion is less common and often used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pulsion and instinct?
Both pulsion and instinct can be used in formal and informal contexts, but instinct is generally seen as a more formal and scientific term, while pulsion is more informal and colloquial.
