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
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Recent Examples of instant
Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 23 Aug. 2025
The right foundation plants add instant curb appeal by providing color, texture and structure.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2025
Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2025
In an instant, the evening belonged to Jeff, and one of the most dynamic voices of the 1990s emerged.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instant
Adjective
Mike’s Mighty Good seed-oil-free instant ramen costs more than $3 a cup on its website; its conventional counterparts can be 99 cents or less apiece.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 23 Aug. 2025
The right foundation plants add instant curb appeal by providing color, texture and structure.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
On last Wednesday’s episode of the Facing the Future podcast from the Concord Coalition, a nonpartisan group focused on reducing the national debt, Moody’s Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi pointed out tariffs were imposed via executive order and can be changed in an instant.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2025
In an instant, the evening belonged to Jeff, and one of the most dynamic voices of the 1990s emerged.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instant
Adjective
-
While greenhouse gasses released into the atmosphere can linger for years, once air pollution is reduced the health benefits are nearly instantaneous.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Actionable insights that should be instantaneous can take hours, or days, to assemble.—
Arunabh Dastidar,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Sabrina Carpenter sends a disco invite to a responsible guy on a sweet single from her new Man’s Best Friend, Hayley Williams falls through the sky on a sleek, urgent gem off her new Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party, and Alabama Shakes return with their first new song in over a decade.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
29 Aug. 2025
-
These questions are particularly urgent for international students at U.S. universities, as the Trump administration has moved to revoke and restrict thousands of international student visas.—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
From its humble beginnings to its current role as one of the industry leaders, Vickerman continues to set the stage for holiday magic, ensuring that every season shines a little brighter.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
30 Aug. 2025
-
Free up current funds to allow the city to be prepared to address future needs.—
NWA Democrat-Gazette,
Arkansas Online,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
About one or two minutes later, a single shot was heard.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
23 Aug. 2025
-
Abrego Garcia's attorney Sean Hecker told The Tennessean minutes after 2 p.m. Aug. 22 that Abrego Garcia was set free from the Putnam County Jail and on his way to Maryland.—
Evan Mealins,
The Tennessean,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The county’s Board of Supervisors voted 20-to-8 to send the proposal to the county’s law enforcement committee for review rather than taking immediate action on it.—
Rick Barrett,
jsonline.com,
23 Aug. 2025
-
While a separate court order prevents his immediate deportation from Tennessee, he could still be detained by ICE in Maryland.—
Evan Mealins,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Officials did not provide information on the person’s condition or whether they were hospitalized or had underlying health conditions, common among those with acute symptoms of West Nile.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
These include having recurrent lung infections like acute bronchitis or pneumonia, new or worse shortness of breath, a cough that brings up mucus and phlegm, wheezing, chest tightness and fatigue.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Several discrepancies were identified, and two individuals were found to be present in the United States illegally, one with a previous order of removal.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
30 Aug. 2025
-
Generally, coliforms are bacteria that are not harmful and are naturally present in the environment, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
At the start of last season, Drew and Brett warmed up together on the sideline, and for a second, Ged Kates dropped his coach cap and went into dad mode.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Aug. 2025
-
That’s a key lesson from a recent study, which took a group of 28 runners with a similar 10K pace (way faster than mine) and divided them into two groups: one did their normal running routine and a second that added heavy back squats, leg presses and calf raises to their routines.—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instant. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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