Phrase guide

death instinct

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Synonym of death drive.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: human-sciences, medicine, psychoanalysis, psychology, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: death drive

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

(psychoanalysis) an unconscious urge to die

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: death wish, Thanatos

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: urge, impulse

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.