Synonyms of immediate

immediate

adjective

i-ˈmē-dē-ət 

1

as in instantaneous

done or occurring without any noticeable lapse in time

felt immediate relief after taking the painkiller

Synonyms & Similar Words

• instantaneous
• instant
• rapid
• split-second
• quick
• swift
• summary
• straightaway
• prompt
• speedy
• fast
• hit-and-run

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• slow
• prolonged
• sluggish
• protracted
• deferred
• tardy
• dilatory
• delayed

2

as in primary

done or working without something else coming in between

she is my immediate superior, so I report to her

Synonyms & Similar Words

• primary
• direct
• firsthand
• unmediated
• clinical
• empirical
• efficient
• proximate
• hands-on

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indirect
• secondhand

3

as in swift

done, carried out, or given without delay

immediate treatment saved the victim of the massive heart attack

Synonyms & Similar Words

• swift
• timely
• quick
• prompt
• speedy
• early
• punctual
• ready
• apt
• willing
• opportune
• seasonable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• belated
• late
• tardy
• overdue
• delinquent
• delayed
• behind
• slow
• detained
• latish
• dilatory
• laggard
• behindhand

4

as in near

not being distant in time, space, or significance

for the victims of the terrorist attack, the incident is as immediate as yesterday's news

Synonyms & Similar Words

• near
• close
• nearby
• proximate
• at hand
• next-door
• neighboring
• to hand
• convenient
• nigh
• coming
• adjacent
• close-up
• contiguous
• forthcoming
• adjoining
• upcoming
• handy
• oncoming
• accessible
• approaching
• abutting
• bordering
• close-in
• hand-to-hand

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• distant
• deep
• remote
• far
• away
• far-off
• faraway
• separated
• divorced
• removed

5

as in current

existing or in progress right now

we need to solve the immediate problems before working on the more long-term ones

Synonyms & Similar Words

• current
• ongoing
• present
• recent
• instant
• existing
• new
• present-day
• existent
• extant
• modern
• contemporary
• modernistic
• up-to-date
• newfangled
• ultramodern
• being
• breathing
• mod
• supermodern
• red-hot
• space-age
• new-fashioned
• living

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• future
• coming
• unborn
• over
• terminated
• through
• up
• ended
• finished
• completed
• old
• ancient
• obsolete
• done
• concluded
• past
• archaic
• former
• old-time
• antiquated
• old-fashioned
• antique
• antediluvian
• out-of-date
• outworn
• dated
• erstwhile
• musty
• bygone
• noncontemporary
• fusty
• ago
• oldfangled
• passé

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of immediate

In the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, many studios either shuffled their product directly to streaming or waited a mere 17 days for their films to become available to buy or rent at home. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Kaplan described the current move more as a market nod to policymakers than an immediate act of discipline. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026

The men weren’t due to be picked up for another 11 days and there was no way McCoy would survive without immediate medical attention. — Jan Thacker, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026

People are anxious about the costs of both their immediate and long-term needs, said David Chavern, president and CEO of ACLI. — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026