1
as in instantaneous
done or occurring without any noticeable lapse in time
an instant response to the cry for help
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in urgent
needing immediate attention
an instant need for food supplies in the famine-stricken country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in current
existing or in progress right now
we should be more concerned with instant dangers than with those in the far-off future
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in minute
a very small space of time
it all happened in an instant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instant
Joe Lynch, Billboard, 22 Jan. 2025
The company's tap-to-pay app will soon support a Buy Now, Pay Later system, allowing customers to create instant installment plans even when shopping offline.
—Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 22 Jan. 2025
Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025
In an instant, the wind tore the rigging from the smaller mast, turning the yacht nearly on its side and into an incoming wave.
—David Wolman, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for instant 
Adjective
His 1900 book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, was an instant sensation that was made into theatrical productions and films, and later inspired songs by Elton John, America, ELO and even the Melvins.
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 22 Jan. 2025
The company's tap-to-pay app will soon support a Buy Now, Pay Later system, allowing customers to create instant installment plans even when shopping offline.
—Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
Think of the swelling of your heart at an exquisite harmony, the knowing glance from another parent in an instant of unintended comedy, or the fleeting eye contact with a child scanning the crowd for reassurance.
—Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025
In an instant, the wind tore the rigging from the smaller mast, turning the yacht nearly on its side and into an incoming wave.
—David Wolman, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for instant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instant
Adjective
-
The date mechanism is particularly noteworthy for its instantaneous jump at midnight.—
Bhanu Chopra,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
-
The permit allowed for 406 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters or less as the instantaneous maximum.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
More than 90% of Gazans are homeless, according to the U.N., and there is an urgent need for tents and other shelters.—
Ghada Abdulfattah,
The Christian Science Monitor,
24 Jan. 2025
-
For example, any urgent messages regarding H5N1 bird flu, which is spreading to people in the U.S., would be delayed.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Judges put on the bench by Lamont are more than half of the current roster of 179 active judges.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Riley worked closely with Dave Emerick, USC’s current general manager, on all personnel matters.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The crowd, having just witnessed 12 minutes of basketball at its most mild, eventually obliged.—
Dan Woike,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Jan. 2025
-
Best of all this recipe only requires 10 minutes of active work and is ready in under an hour.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The most immediate challenge facing Republicans is whittling down their list and working with the White House to determine which rules Trump can undo with executive orders.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
18 Jan. 2025
-
Franklin’s immediate ancestors grew up in a world where the fear of witchcraft led to tragic consequences.—
Michael Sheldrick,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Hot flashes are sudden and intense feelings of heat - heat that is especially acute over the neck, chest, and face, explains Dr. Ruta Nonacs, a perinatal and reproductive psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital and an instructor at Harvard Medical School.—
Daryl Austin,
USA TODAY,
24 Jan. 2025
-
The problem is so acute that Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, recently appointed a housing czar to spur a search for solutions in Europe.—
Liz Alderman,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Being present emotionally means showing up without distractions and offering your undivided attention even during mundane moments.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
25 Jan. 2025
-
On this one, by virtue of the fact that its budget was a lot smaller and Steven was paying for it himself, there were whole levels of approval that just weren’t present.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Bilodeau re-entered the game a few minutes later but was removed after only 35 seconds, never to return.—
Ben Bolch,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Ryan Tattle scored his second goal, tipping it in with one-half of a second to go, lifting the Huskies to a 2-1 victory over Quinnipiac in the first game of the CT Ice festival at Sacred Heart.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
25 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near instant
Cite this Entry
“Instant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instant. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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