in·stant·ly
ˈin(t)-stənt-lē 
1
: without the least delay : immediately
2
: with importunity : urgently
: as soon as
he ran across the grass instantly he perceived his mother—
W. M. Thackeray
W. M. ThackerayExamples of instantly in a Sentence
Adverb
His voice is instantly recognizable.
They instantly fell in love.
She was killed instantly when her car hit a tree.
Conjunction
we realized there would be problems instantly we saw the final report
Recent Examples on the Web
Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2025
Make a $5 pick for any player to instantly lock in your bonuses.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
After appearing in hundreds of games, Mario himself has basically become gaming’s Mickey Mouse; his face and faux-Italian cadence instantly recognizable to anyone who has been on Earth for the past four decades.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2025
Fans will know instantly that this child grows up to be renowned composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, and Linklater leans into that, having the pre-teenage Sondheim criticize Hart's writing.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
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Adverb
According to stylists, certain colors can instantly date an outfit, while others always manage to look fresh.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2025
Make a $5 pick for any player to instantly lock in your bonuses.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
After appearing in hundreds of games, Mario himself has basically become gaming’s Mickey Mouse; his face and faux-Italian cadence instantly recognizable to anyone who has been on Earth for the past four decades.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2025
Fans will know instantly that this child grows up to be renowned composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, and Linklater leans into that, having the pre-teenage Sondheim criticize Hart's writing.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instantly
Cite this Entry
“Instantly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instantly. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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