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in·stant | \ ˈin(t)-stənt 
\
\Definition of instant
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : an infinitesimal space of time especially : a point in time separating two states at the instant of death
2 : the present or current month
instant
adjectiveDefinition of instant (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : produced or occurring with or as if with extreme rapidity and ease
3a(1) : premixed or precooked for easy final preparation
instant pudding
(2) : appearing in or as if in ready-to-use form
instant poetry
b : immediately soluble in water
instant coffee
b : of or occurring in the present month
—abbreviation inst
5 : importunate, urgent
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Synonyms for instant
Synonyms: Noun
- beat,
- eyeblink,
- flash,
- heartbeat,
- jiff,
- jiffy,
- minute,
- moment,
- nanosecond,
- New York minute,
- second,
- shake,
- split second,
- trice,
- twinkle,
- twinkling,
- wink
Synonyms: Adjective
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Examples of instant in a Sentence
Noun
For an instant, I forgot where I was.
The ride was over in an instant. Adjective
The movie was an instant hit.
He became an instant celebrity with the publication of his first novel.
We got an instant response from the company.
The Internet provides instant access to an enormous amount of information.
Is this coffee instant or regular?
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun What the real Spice Girls think of the performance remains to be seen—someone please contact Geri Halliwell this instant!
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Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "Chloe and Halle Channel the Spice Girls for the GLAAD Awards," 31 July 2020 In an instant, the Hargrove family found themselves in the midst of a Colombian epidemic -- the kidnap and ransom trade.
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Mary Colurso | Mcolurso@al.com, al, "Sidewalk Film Festival 2020: 37 spots filled on lineup for drive-in event," 30 July 2020 Their children still can't fathom that the coronavirus pandemic took their parents away in what seemed like an instant.
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Ed Lavandera, CNN, "Coronavirus is ravaging entire South Texas families and medical teams," 29 July 2020 Many grizzlies bluff-charge, veering away at the last instant.
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Keith Mccafferty, Field & Stream, "What Should You Do If a Grizzly Bear Attacks?," 27 May 2020 Cincinnati has other players that can change a match in an instant, but Locadia is generally considered FCC's top scoring threat.
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Pat Brennan, The Enquirer, "Jaap Stam: FC Cincinnati's Jürgen Locadia injured, could miss 'a couple of weeks'," 7 July 2020 The Monroe County man won the $4 million prize playing $150,000,000 Payout, a Michigan Lottery instant game, according to a Michigan Lottery news release.
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Meredith Spelbring, Detroit Free Press, "Monroe County man wins $4 million jackpot a second time," 23 June 2020 This is the instant espresso Doshi uses — and loves — at home.
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Elizabeth Wallace, CNN Underscored, "6 ways to treat yourself to frozen coffee this summer," 6 July 2020 Grill over medium-high heat until grill marks appear, about 4 minutes; flip and grill for another 4 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 160 F. Top with cheese, if using, and immediately remove from grill.
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Erin Booke, Dallas News, "5 fan-favorite burger recipes from Texas chefs and more," 3 July 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective The youth received an instant test at the hospital and has returned to the center, and the staff member is at home, Naughton said.
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Sarah Freishtat, chicagotribune.com, "Kane County Juvenile Justice Center youth resident, staff member test positive for COVID-19," 4 Aug. 2020 For savings at all Sandals Resorts, ‘instant credits’ up to $1,000 are applied upon booking.
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Melanie Reffes, USA TODAY, "Caribbean resort sales: Get the deals and entry requirements for Jamaica, USVI, more," 4 Aug. 2020 Although his performances in Portugal gave an indication of what was to come, such an instant impact took many by surprise.
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Ben Church, CNN, "How Bruno Fernandes transformed Manchester United's fortunes," 4 Aug. 2020 Bloomingdale’s has started letting customers shop by FaceTime, or even by phone call or instant message.
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Drew Hutchinson, Bloomberg.com, "Gucci, Jimmy Choo Do Luxury Version of Walmart Curbside Pickup," 3 Aug. 2020 This camera comes in several different colors and prints instant photos, which develop before your very eyes.
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Brittany Vincent, CNN Underscored, "5 retro tech products that are far from obsolete," 3 Aug. 2020 Services such as CreditWise that provide near-instant monitoring of scores also can be helpful, Brown said.
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Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, "Beyond job losses, Americans face many types of coronavirus financial fallout. The impact will linger," 2 Aug. 2020 All Holland has to do to become an instant multimillionaire is shut up and tackle for 10 college games, then sink into the warm embrace of NFL superstardom.
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Scott Ostler, SFChronicle.com, "West Coast college kids stand up to Big Football," 2 Aug. 2020 That is a long-term project, not an instant solution.
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Krithika Varagur, The New York Review of Books, "Patrolling Minneapolis’s Native American History," 31 July 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'instant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for instant
instant
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of instant
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a very short period of time
instant
adjectiveEnglish Language Learners Definition of instant (Entry 2 of 2)
: becoming something very quickly
: happening or done without delay
of food : able to be made very quickly : partially prepared by the manufacturer so that final preparation is quick and easy
See the full definition for instant in the English Language Learners Dictionary
instant
nounin·stant | \ ˈin-stənt \
\Kids Definition of instant
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a very short time : moment I'll be back in an instant.
instant
adjectiveKids Definition of instant (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : happening or done right away
The play was an instant success.
2 : partially prepared by the manufacturer to make final preparation easy
instant pudding
instant
adjectivein·stant
Legal Definition of instant
: being under present consideration
the questions presented in the instant case
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Comments on instant
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Time Traveler for instant
The first known use of instant was in the 14th century
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