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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of instant
Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2025
On the men's side, Murray-Boyles was an instant contributor as a rookie for the Gamecocks, making the SEC All-Freshman Team and guiding his team to its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2017.
—Nasha Smith, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 18 Mar. 2025
Everyone of that generation can hit those angles in an instant.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instant
Adjective
Encourage her to capture all of those upcoming adventures with this portable instant camera.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2025
On the men's side, Murray-Boyles was an instant contributor as a rookie for the Gamecocks, making the SEC All-Freshman Team and guiding his team to its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2017.
—Nasha Smith, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
Paired to a beautiful, matching bracelet and equipped also with rubber or black-lined grey alligator straps, the Overseas Ultra-Thin is a versatile piece that can be dressed up or down in an instant.
—Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 18 Mar. 2025
Everyone of that generation can hit those angles in an instant.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instant
Adjective
-
Odegaard’s impact in those first few weeks was profound and instantaneous.—
James McNicholas,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
-
There was zero time wasted on deciding where the puck should go; every pass was instantaneous and laser-accurate and threaded the needle through the slot perfectly.—
Harman Dayal,
The Athletic,
9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
But starting last year, states were permitted to use the funds for a broader range of urgent public health needs, including monitoring and testing for other respiratory viruses, providing vaccines for children and uninsured adults and strengthening preparedness for future health emergencies.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Meanwhile, the board issued urgent safety recommendations last week, telling bridge owners to conduct vulnerability assessments.—
Lea Skene,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Now, 46 percent say Trump is to blame for current economic conditions, while 41 percent say Biden is to blame.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Another statute modeled on the California statute and modified to its current form shortly before the UPEPA was completed, but falsely criticized for reasons relating more to the antiquated Texas Practice & Procedure Code than the statute itself. Vermont ...—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
American leading scorer Matt Rogers injured his right knee four minutes into the game.—
Jeff Wallner,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2025
-
And Crypto Brace For A $9 Trillion Fed Price Flip Google Chrome Attack Warning—Stop Using Your Passwords ‘NYT Mini’ Clues And Answers For Wednesday, March 19 Set a timer for 10 minutes.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party condemned the detentions and called for the immediate release of all taken into custody.—
TIME,
TIME,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Lucas had no immediate comment in response to the letter.—
Mike Hendricks,
Kansas City Star,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Gian Cho, executive director of the Belize National Forensic Science Service, confirmed in a toxicology report obtained by the outlets that the three women died of acute pulmonary edema, which was triggered by excessive carbon monoxide exposure.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Lab reports confirmed the child was suffering from an acute intoxication due to an exposure to methamphetamines or other stimulant. ...—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The new plan includes additional focus on hazardous vegetation that could enable the spread of wildfires when not properly maintained or when invasive, flammable species are present.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Anti and Good Girl Gone Bad are both still present, and the similarities between their placements are uncanny, which points to fans consuming them in similar ways and numbers.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The funeral bells have barely stopped tolling before Barbara (Noma Dumezweni), the second of Walter’s three wives, requests a word with Iris.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
26 Mar. 2025
-
The second of four outstanding NCAA Tournament regional semifinal matchups taking place on Thursday tips off at 7:39 p.m. ET, as 4-seed Maryland and 1-seed Florida clash in the West Region semifinals.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instant. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share