instantaneous
adjective
in·stan·ta·neous
ˌin(t)-stən-ˈtā-nē-əs 
-nyəs
1
: done, occurring, or acting without any perceptible duration of time
death was instantaneous
2
: done without any delay being purposely introduced
took instantaneous corrective action
3
: occurring or present at a particular instant
instantaneous velocity
instantaneousness
noun
Examples of instantaneous in a Sentence
We got an almost instantaneous response from the company.
the thunder following the flash of lightning was nearly instantaneous
Recent Examples on the Web
Two miles down, where seawater exerts vast pressures, an implosion would have made the violent collapse of the vehicle’s hull instantaneous.
—
William J. Broad, New York Times, 10 June 2024
Disease transmission is generally not instantaneous.
—Maria Masters, Health, 9 June 2024
Topping the instantaneous word-of-mouth hit 28 Days was always going to be a tricky proposition, but the sequel lives up to the horrific spirit of the original.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2024
After the 2006 war between Israel and Lebanon, Iran’s rapid delivery of aid enabled Hezbollah to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and outmaneuver the Lebanese government by providing instantaneous compensation and rebuilding programs.
—Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for instantaneous 
William J. Broad, New York Times, 10 June 2024
Disease transmission is generally not instantaneous.
—Maria Masters, Health, 9 June 2024
Topping the instantaneous word-of-mouth hit 28 Days was always going to be a tricky proposition, but the sequel lives up to the horrific spirit of the original.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2024
After the 2006 war between Israel and Lebanon, Iran’s rapid delivery of aid enabled Hezbollah to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and outmaneuver the Lebanese government by providing instantaneous compensation and rebuilding programs.
—Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for instantaneous
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'instantaneous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near instantaneous
Cite this Entry
“Instantaneous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instantaneous. Accessed 16 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
instantaneous
adjective
in·stan·ta·neous
ˌin(t)-stən-ˈtā-nē-əs
-nyəs
1
: happening in an instant
2
: done without delay
instantaneously
adverb
instantaneousness
noun
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