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
Sarah Y. Wu, Glamour, 14 Aug. 2025
The instant coffee grounds, sold in 48 states, may contain glass.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 13 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
Cho also swears by this milky toner for instant dewy hydration.
—Sarah Y. Wu, Glamour, 14 Aug. 2025
The instant coffee grounds, sold in 48 states, may contain glass.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 13 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
-
What would The Canterbury Tales be if the pilgrimage from the Tabard Inn to the Shrine of Thomas Becket were instantaneous?—
Emil Steiner,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
For one thing, events such as the Locarno fest’s Aug. 8 presentation of its Leopard Club career achievement award to Emma Thompson, draw far more coverage and generate more buzz in the age of instantaneous online media.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
This research emphasizes the urgent need for stronger safeguards as AI agents become more embedded in business operations.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Trump, in the lead-up to his meeting with Putin, repeatedly stressed the need for an urgent, long-lasting ceasefire in the war.—
Erin Doherty,
CNBC,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The runoff is scheduled for October 19, marking an unprecedented moment in Bolivia's electoral history since adopting its current constitution in 2009.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
-
The shares would be sold by current and former employees to investors including SoftBank, Dragoneer Investment Group and Thrive Capital, according to a source.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Wait 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder before going back outside.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.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
-
There's an immediate need in Nashville for blood donations to supply area hospitals.—
Beth Warren,
The Tennessean,
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
-
Raids outside Home Depot stores have been particularly acute in California.—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
17 Aug. 2025
-
At the same time, record-high admission rates of children receiving treatment for severe acute malnutrition in places like Jebel Aulia and large parts of Al Jazirah State show the urgent need to scale up.—
Maryanne Murray Buechner,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Not to tattletale: zero members of Team Clark were very present for that.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Gray with metallic undertones: a bolder approach, present in the collections of avant-garde fashion brands.—
René Chávez Esparza,
Glamour,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
With less than 30 seconds on the clock, cornerback Ethan Robinson blitzed Lions quarterback Henson Hook and managed to come down with a game-sealing interception.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
17 Aug. 2025
-
The Miami Dolphins ventured to Detroit for their second preseason game and won, 24-17, as rookie cornerback Ethan Robinson had the play of the game with a dramatic leaping interception with 22 seconds left at the Dolphins’ 20-yard line.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instant. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share