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
Kyle McGovern, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
The rumors are true—Jimmy John's is bringing back the Picklewich, which went viral last year and became an instant fan-favorite.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Dior’s new soft tote and Loewe’s large Amazona bag felt like instant icons — pieces destined for real-life wear but crafted with couture-level care.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instant
Adjective
Needless to say, the show is recognized as an instant triumph, and Hawke’s Hart can sense he’s being left behind.
—Kyle McGovern, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
The rumors are true—Jimmy John's is bringing back the Picklewich, which went viral last year and became an instant fan-favorite.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
In an instant, her expression shifted from confusion to regret.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Dior’s new soft tote and Loewe’s large Amazona bag felt like instant icons — pieces destined for real-life wear but crafted with couture-level care.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instant
Adjective
-
Sea-Intelligence modeled the European import surge under different scenarios, ranging from an instantaneous switch back to the Suez by all shipping lines, to a more gradual phase-in over two, four or six weeks.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
-
In this modern age of technology, complete with instantaneous ways to locate talent anywhere in the world, the Duke men’s basketball coach didn’t mine social media endlessly or scour websites in recruiting the player the Charlotte Hornets selected fourth overall in the NBA Draft in June.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This was Liverpool in urgent need of a lift after a series of setbacks and a manager looking elsewhere for solutions rather than backing the club’s long-serving match-winner to deliver.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The shelter was recently 11 dogs over capacity, making his situation increasingly urgent.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Billups was arrested less than nine hours after Portland’s season-opening season-opening loss at home, a game notably attended by the team’s current owner and a financier in the process of buying the franchise.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
24 Oct. 2025
-
But current technologies like micro-LEDs hit a limit when pixels shrink below one micrometer.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
First when trailing by 14 in the final 15 minutes at Philadelphia.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Bring to a boil over medium, and cook, stirring often, until cranberries burst and mixture thickens, 6 to 8 minutes.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Henry's desire for a male heir -- and a new wife who might provide one -- was the immediate catalyst, but other factors were also at play, involving the English crown's seizure of church assets and the growth of Protestant ideas in England.—
Joshua McElwee,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The proposal called for an immediate cease-fire and hostage exchange, Israeli security guarantees, the demilitarization of Gaza, and a new civilian governing authority.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite highly unusual aid from our nation, an acute crunch including a devaluation of Argentina’s currency and a 10th default on its debt is very possible.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
19 Oct. 2025
-
In Russia, this problem was especially acute.—
Julia Ioffe,
New Yorker,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Trump’s former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, was one of the first people to publicly condemn the selection of Bad Bunny, going as far as threatening that ICE agents would be present at the Super Bowl next year.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Oklahoma With the federal government shut down, National Park rangers are not present at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum.—
The NPR Network,
NPR,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Police reportedly located the woman after reviewing a two-second security camera video clip, in which she was allegedly seen on a city sidewalk carrying something that appeared to be wrapped in a bundle and holding it as a person would typically hold a baby.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
-
So in the moments after takeoff, Higginbotham always stared at his watch, heart pounding, counting the seconds to a minute.—
Rustin Dodd,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instant. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share