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Synonyms

gut reaction

British  

noun

  1. a reaction to a situation derived from a person's instinct and experience

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

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Aymann Ismail: What was your gut reaction to the news of the pardons?

From Slate • Jan. 21, 2025

I have a very gut reaction to things and if it's not a 'Hell yes!' it's usually a 'No'.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2024

"This way, we're measuring gut reaction to the light turning on -- which hand will you use on the spot?"

From Science Daily • Nov. 16, 2023

Then you got the script — what was your gut reaction?

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2023

Briefly he outlined to the lawyer the situation insofar as he understood it, and asked Hirsshorn what his initial and instinctive gut reaction was.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols